Subscribe to Print Edition | Thu., May 22, 2008 Iyyar 17, 5768 | | Israel Time: 14:49 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Peres Conference Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Deputy Prime Minister Eli Yishai (David Bachar) Last update - 20:37 21/05/2008 Golan regional head: Olmert endangering Israel's existence By Haaretz Service and News Agencies Tags: Israel, Eli Yishai, Syria  The chairman of the Golan Heights, Eli Malkha, blasted Wednesday the decision to resume negotiations with Damascus, saying: "Olmert is endangering the existence of Israel. Israel's citizens will never allow such a ridiculous and irresponsible action." Earlier on Wednesday, Syria and Israel announced that they were ready to launch indirect talks for the first time in eight years. Deputy Prime Minister Eli Yishai (Shas) said that resuming negotiations would be a dangerous move. Advertisement "Syria is still the foundation of the axis of evil, and I'm not sure it's appropriate to transfer Israel's northern front to the axis of evil," Yishai said. He added that Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has said in the past that so long as Syria maintains its geopolitical stance it would be wrong to conduct with it negotiations. "It's not clear what has changed now. I don't see a place for negotiations, and certainly not to forfeit our security into Hezbollah's hands. I assume we're talking about futile talks," he said. The announcement comes as Olmert finds himself mired in yet another corruption probe - the fifth investigation into his conduct since he took office in 2006. MK Shelley Yachimovich (Labor) called the announcement a "meaningless spin," saying that Olmert was using the declaration of negotiations to try to steer public attention from the corruption scandal embroiling him. "Olmert is cynically trying to fool decent, peace-advocating citizens to deflect attention from the cash envelope," she said. MK Zahava Gal-On said that while she supported withdrawing from the Golan Heights in exchange for peace with Syria, she is "concerned about Olmert's initiative as he does not have the moral validity to advance political process aimed at distracting" public opinion. MK Gideon Sa'ar (Likud) slammed the announcement, declaring: "He who receives cash envelopes won't touch the Golan. Olmert's announcement proves there is no limit to his cynicism and games with the property of Israel for the sake of his own survival." Likud MK Yuval Steinitz said that, "It is saddening to see that the prime minister is ready to quickly sell off the Golan to save himself from the investigation." MK Aryeh Eldad (National Union - National Religious Party) called the planned negotiations a betrayal, saying: "Olmert thinks that if Ariel Sharon managed to avoid a [corruption] sentence with the help of the disengagement, he will manage to escape with the help of these negotiations." Labor, Meretz MKs praise Olmert's initiative Labor MK Etan Cabel praised Olmert's initiative to relaunch negotiations, saying "I hope this is not an attempt to cover up the investigation. The negotiating process is what is important and it should continue even if Olmert does not remain prime minister. Meretz chairman Haim Oron joined Cabel's praise and expressed hope that the talks would spur negotiations with other Arab states. Political scientist Efraim Inbar suggested the new announcement might be linked to Olmert's current political woes and the apparent deadlock with the Palestinians. "He might be using it as a ploy to divert public attention from his troubles and perhaps bring forward elections," said Inbar, director of the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies at Bar-Ilan University near Tel Aviv. "He has failed with the Palestinians and he might be romancing the Syrians to pressure the Palestinians to reach an agreement," he said. President Shimon Peres also welcomed the news: "Those are preliminary contacts, and I think every contact that leads in the direction of peace should be welcomed. Yet the value of it is still too early to judge, it's a beginning, we have to see how it's going to be developed and proceeded in the future." Related articles: Israel and Syria to launch indirect talks ANALYSIS / Small piece of land could scupper Israel-Syria talks Syria-Israel peace deal 'requires shift in U.S. policy' Israeli, Syrian representatives reach secret understandings Bookmark to del.icio.us   Say what you want French court: Claim that Al-Dura tape doctored isn`t libelous. Peace in our time Olmert: Peace talks with Syria are a 'national duty'.   1.   All these knee-jerk sceptics.... 14:00  |  Esther 21/05/08   2.   I Hope Someone Will Remind Shas Voters at Election Time 15:22  |  Mike 21/05/08   3.   Yishay the hypocrite 15:58  |  Rabbi Yakov lazaros 21/05/08   4.   Yishai and the likes live on fear tactics! 16:14  |  Sam 21/05/08   5.   Yishai is hypocrite and a free loader. His bunch just leaches. 16:16  |  Bedouin 21/05/08   6.   There`s no spin, only spinelessness 16:29  |  Tali 21/05/08   7.   I see theyre all talking at the same time, typical. 17:20  |  Stephen. 21/05/08   8.   # 7 Israeli - Stephen, Geneva 17:59  |  Rozz 21/05/08   9.   Olmert - Turnied Israel into a Punching Bag and Now a Total Joke 18:10  |  Tod Zuckerman 21/05/08   10.   Not Surprising!! Seeing that Syria.... 18:21  |  Magnify 21/05/08   11.   Syria 18:49  |  rin 21/05/08   12.   political spectrum 19:12  |  Keops 21/05/08   13.   Olmert will sell Israel to save his soul,,,, 19:14  |  Dagma 21/05/08   14.   This is not initiative -this an insanity of PM 19:27  |  Sal 21/05/08   15.   13# Rika Zarai 19:47  |  Keops 21/05/08   16.   just give yishai,another $ 200,000,000 20:21  |  chaim 21/05/08   17.   #8. Rozz." Mea culpa."...? 20:39  |  Stephen. 21/05/08   18.   destroy iranian military at same time. 20:50  |  frenz 21/05/08   19.   Olmert, why don’t you give your own backyard to Ass-ad? 21:04  |  Outsider 21/05/08   20.   Olmert should not make any concession 21:09  |  Outsider 21/05/08   21.   Olmert........Who else? 22:25  |  Rozz 21/05/08   22.   Return only the Druze-villages to Syria! 22:43  |  AliciaYasmeen 21/05/08   23.   American alliance 22:46  |  Dan 21/05/08   24.   Except for Eli Mlakha , None of the Israelis Officials 23:05  |  Joseph . E 21/05/08   25.   Perpetual state of war (with nukes) is endangering Israel 23:51  |  Butt muncher 21/05/08   26.   The Golan is part of Israel. 23:56  |  EGW 21/05/08   27.   Peace in our time! Heard that one before... 00:44  |  Paul Henzen 22/05/08   28.   Zuckerman in SFO 01:04  |  wibism 22/05/08   29.   #13 Dagma. You have no need to worry. 01:45  |  Maureen Ann 22/05/08   30.   Olmerts left hand is not a right handed leadership 02:05  |  Zev 22/05/08   31.   A GAMBLING OF A LIFETIME BY GRANDPA 02:40  |  indrajaya 22/05/08   32.   Aw, c`mon Yishai... 02:57  |  Montrealer 22/05/08   33.   Zionists panic-stricken 02:59  |  Axel 22/05/08   34.   # 25 egw 03:00  |  Axel 22/05/08   35.   #18 frenz in Manchester 04:08  |  maoriboy 22/05/08   36.   Syria naked 04:18  |  noah 22/05/08   37.   #26 EGW 04:24  |  maoriboy 22/05/08   38.   The Golan Heights were and are Jewish 10:09  |  Maoriman 22/05/08   39.   Boycott call 11:15  |  Nick Ferriman 22/05/08   40.   #38 who`s listening to your story? Olmert`s not. 14:16  |  maoriboy 22/05/08   41.   Love to see Zionist responses 14:44  |  Advocate4Liberty 22/05/08

Read & React Olmert to Haaretz: Syria contacts are 'historic breakthrough' Responses: 55 Editorial: Spin or no spin, Olmert must continue Syria talks Responses: 32 Poll: More Israelis against returning Golan than dividing Jerusalem Responses: 55 Shmuel Rosner: Will Bush attack Iran or won't he? Responses: 23 Suicide bomber blows up truck at Gaza crossing Responses: 50 Rosner's Domain 8 short comments on the Israel-Syria peace talks 5 questions: Does Israel need rescue? Goldberg vs. Boot. I'm going to stay neutral! Rosner's Guests: Israel not likely to invade Gaza soon Can Obama win over Jewish voters? (WTR) More Headlines 14:32 Is an attack on Iran a big risk? 14:36 Olmert: Both Syria and Israel know what's needed for peace 12:59 Suicide bomber blows up truck at Erez crossing on Gaza border 14:14 Border Police officers kill man who infiltrated from Egypt 13:24 Sources: Not enough evidence to indict Olmert for bribery 14:48 Fashion wars / U.S. store pulls 'pro-violence' Palestinian T-shirt 14:39 Israeli elephant expert dies in Ethiopia blast 11:02 Israeli tourist strips in anger at New Zealand men's whistles 12:51 Report: Israel releases Syrian suspected of aiding Hezbollah 14:18 U.S. agency, Palestinian firm sign deal to boost Palestinian exports 09:30 Gag order lifted on contents of Shula Zaken's date book 12:35 Ramle man indicted for killing grandmother, aunt and uncle 11:49 Sderot mother arrested on suspicion of breaking her infant's arms 11:14 Rice: Israeli-Palestinian track most likely to produce results Previous Editions Select Day 21 may 20 may 19 may 18 may 16 may 15 may 14 may 13 may 12 may 11 may 09 may 08 may

Special Offers Advertisement Dead Sea Products Buy Dead Sea mineral skin care and beauty products. Coupon code Haaretz for 10% off. Istudy Learn Hebrew in 3 months The Terraces Your Ultimate Coastal Address On Nitza Boulevard, North Netanya Together Celebrating Israel's 60th The Jewish Agency and You - together making history Pardes Institute Summer Sessions http://www.pardes.org.il/ Free the Palestinians from: Corrupt Kleptocracy, Tyrannical Theocracy, Abysmal Anarchy Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports |