"Israel says it’s willing to talk peace with Syria" by ASSOCIATED PRESS | February 8, 2010
JERUSALEM - Israel’s prime minister attempted to end a war of words with Syria yesterday, saying his country is open to peace talks with its longtime enemy.
Israeli and Syrian officials have traded threats over the past week, raising concerns of an escalation between countries that have officially been at war for more than 60 years.
Israel desires peace agreements with “all of its neighbors,’’ Benjamin Netanyahu told his weekly Cabinet meeting.
If that were true then we would have it.
“We did it with Egypt and Jordan, and we want to achieve similar agreements with the Palestinians and the Syrians,’’ he said. “I hope that we are on the brink of renewing negotiations with the Palestinians, and we are open to renewing the process with the Syrians as well.’’
Netanyahu’s comments came after an ominous exchange between officials in the countries.
Bashar Assad, Syria’s president, accused Israel of avoiding peace, and his foreign minister threatened that Israeli cities would come under attack in a future war. Israel’s foreign minister responded that Syria would be defeated and Assad and his family would lose power in any conflict.
The central point of disagreement between Israel and Syria is the Golan Heights, a strategic plateau that Israel captured in 1967 and later annexed. Syria has demanded a full withdrawal from the Golan as a condition for peace.
Netanyahu said Israel would not accept preconditions to negotiations, indicating he would not agree ahead of time to a Golan withdrawal. He also said any agreement would have to guarantee Israel’s security.Don't you love the a**hole imposing preconditions as he warns others not to?
Does it to the Palestinians all the time, which is why no one listens to what Israel says anymore.
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Maybe we ought to listen, 'eh?
"Lebanese leader vows to back Hezbollah against any Israeli action" by Zeina Karam, Associated Press | February 11, 2010
BEIRUT - Lebanon’s prime minister expressed concern yesterday about “escalating’’ Israeli war threats and said his government will support the Shi’ite Muslim group Hezbollah if a new war breaks out with the Jewish state.
Yeah, they know who defended them last time!
Saad Hariri’s comments were made as tensions in the Middle East increase with some of the sharpest exchanges in years between Israel and its Arab neighbors.
Israel getting ready to invade someone again!
As the U.S. bombs Iran?
They also were made in the context of improved relations between Hariri’s Western-backed coalition and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah since the two sides were forced to coexist in a fragile national unity government formed in November....
Related: Israel's Dirty Games
Has Saad Hariri Finally Figured-Out Who Killed His Dad?
Yeah, I think he has.
“We hear a lot of Israeli threats day in and day out,’’ Hariri said in an interview posted on the BBC’s website. “Every day we have Israeli warplanes entering Lebanese airspace. This is something that is escalating, and this is something that is really dangerous.’’
Yeah, it is amazing how Israel can violate U.N. resolutions and no one gives a damn, huh?
Hariri said Lebanon, which has a notoriously fractious political system, would unite if there is another conflict with Israel.
“I think they’re [Israelis] betting that there might be some division in Lebanon, if there is a war against us,’’ Hariri said. “There won’t be a division in Lebanon. We will stand against Israel. We will stand with our own people.’’
Did Israel get the hint?
Nope!
Israel’s foreign minister brushed aside the warning.
“As prime minister, he’s simply a hostage of Hezbollah, which has veto power in his Cabinet,’’ Avigdor Lieberman told Israel’s Army Radio....
Much like the U.S. government is a hostage to AIPAC.
Hariri’s coalition narrowly defeated a Hezbollah-led coalition in parliamentary elections last year, enabling it to retain a slim majority in the 128-member legislature.
Hariri, however, was unable to form a government without Hezbollah and its allies.
Hariri said Hezbollah would be included in the government regardless of Israeli’s position.Yeah, and since when is it Israel's business who the government in Lebanon is?
What arrogance!
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