# A possible Israel/Syria deal?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-possible-israel-syria-deal/388178>\
**Category:** Great Debates\
**Created:** [January 16, 2007, 10:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-possible-israel-syria-deal/388178 "2007-01-16T10:08:36Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![aclubs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e68b1a/32.png) [@aclubs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aclubs)\
**Post date:** [January 16, 2007, 10:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-possible-israel-syria-deal/388178/1 "2007-01-16T10:08:36Z")

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[Saw this](http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/813817.html) in Haaretz. Apparently, Israel and Syria have been holding secret talks from 2004 to 2006 about a negotiated settlement to their disputes.

> [@Haaretz article](#):
>
> The main points of the understanding are as follows:
> 
> # An agreement of principles will be signed between the two countries, and following the fulfillment of all commitments, a peace agreement will be signed.
> 
> # As part of the agreement on principles, Israel will withdraw from the Golan Heights to the lines of 4 June, 1967. The timetable for the withdrawal remained open: Syria demanded the pullout be carried out over a five-year period, while Israel asked for the withdrawal to be spread out over 15 years.
> 
> # At the buffer zone, along Lake Kinneret, a park will be set up for joint use by Israelis and Syrians. The park will cover a significant portion of the Golan Heights. Israelis will be free to access the park and their presence will not be dependent on Syrian approval.
> 
> # Israel will retain control over the use of the waters of the Jordan River and Lake Kinneret.
> 
> # The border area will be demilitarized along a 1:4 ratio (in terms of territory) in Israel’s favor.
> 
> # According to the terms, Syria will also agree to end its support for Hezbollah and Hamas and will distance itself from Iran.

Also, the paper has included [a nifty map](http://www.haaretz.com/hasite/images/iht_daily/specials/syria_map.jpg) of what the agreement might look like.

Think this is a good idea? Particularly, what would happen to Hizbullah and Hamas?

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**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\
**Post date:** [January 16, 2007, 10:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-possible-israel-syria-deal/388178/2 "2007-01-16T10:43:30Z")

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Well, I like the idea of Israel having normalized relationships with as neighbors as possible and in light of new technologies like night-vision and FLIR and whatnot, the Golan isn’t quite as strategically critical as it once was so… good for them. And the more undercut Hizbollah/Hamas gets, the better.

I just hope no Israelis try to settle in the area, heh.

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**Author:** ![BrightNShiny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@BrightNShiny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrightNShiny)\
**Post date:** [January 16, 2007, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-possible-israel-syria-deal/388178/3 "2007-01-16T10:46:29Z")

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A couple of questions (my knowledge of the Golan Heights is sparse):

1. How extensive was Syrian settlement in the area prior to Israeli annexation?

2. Did the Syrians have water rights prior to annexation?

3. How stable is the current Syrian regime?