Syrian President, Bashar al-Assad, has said that a war with Israel cannot be ruled out. In an interview al-Assad said, “In principle, we expect that there will be an Israeli aggression at any time. We all know that Israel is militarily powerful and is backed directly by the United States.” When former Israeli PM Ariel Sharon came to power in 2001, Israel abandoned the Middle East peace process and opted for a stance of war before diplomacy. “This means that there will be no peace in the foreseeable future. If there is no peace, naturally you should expect that war may come. The no-war, no-peace situation means there will either be peace or war.”

Mohsen Bilal, Syria’s information minister, has said that Syria “is ready for all options and for Israel’s hostile plans following the failure of its aggression in Lebanon”. Israeli troops in the Golan Heights have been on high alert since the end of Israel’s war with Lebanon. Syria requires Israel to comply with UN Security Council Resolution 497 and resolution 425 by leaving the Golan Heights and Southern Lebanon. Israel must also leave the Gaza Strip and West Bank territories in compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 242, and recognize the Palestinian right to return.

Assad has stated that 80 percent of the dividing issues between Israel and Syria have already been resolved, leaving only “the easiest of issues” to discuss. He also states that negotiations and implementation can be complete within 2 years should Israel resume interest in committing to peace.

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