Avi Shlaim on Israel and Syria

Avi Shlaim is a renowned Israeli historian. Over the past twenty years he has taken part in the famous 'historians debates' over the course of Zionism, battling over what exactly had taken place in the bloody birth pangs of the Jewish State. Shlaim has been in contact with me in relation to a piece I am preparing for ISN Security Watch regarding the strength of Syria. With Olmert and Assad talking peace in Paris and preparing for War on the Golan I thought I would reveal some of his thoughts on the matter. Things change quickly in the Middle East and his attitude is pessimistic.

"Israel's strategy has always been to divide
the Arabs. This makes sense in war but for peace Israel needs a united
Arab world. The basis for peace is clear: 242 and the principle of land
for peace. It worked with Egypt and it worked with Jordan. In the case
of Syria Israel still prefers land to peace. This is the reason for the
deadlock since Madrid. The current low level talks in turkey are
unlikely to lead anywhere, especially with Olmert fighting for survival.
The American position is also unhelpful. Instead of engaging with Syria
and encouraging Israel to negotiate, they continue to isolate Syria and
to dream of regime change in Damascus."