Sixth in a series
In theory, the conflict between Israel and Syria seems to be the easiest to solve. The primary source of tension is the Golan Heights, which Israel took in self-defense and settled following the Six-Day War. I’ve always envisoned a negotiated settlement that resembles Israel’s return of the Sinai Penninsula (which it also gained in the war) to Egypt:
- Israel gives back the Golan Heights in exchange for full peace and diplomatic relations between the two countries with Syria;
- Both countries establish a demilitarized zone extending a equal number of kilometers from the Golan Heights, and the United Nations continues its peacekeeping presence for as long as needed;
- Syria agrees to stop helping Hizbollah, the terrorist organization has been attacking Israel for years; and
- Israel and Syria agree to share the Sea of Galilee since access to freshwater is a primary (if less reported) source of conflict.
How hard is that? Why has it taken forty years? To be honest, I’ve never quite understood the reasons for the prolonged tension. (At least Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has been secretly sending peace overtures to Damascus, and the Syrian government seems to be receptive.)
One possible reason for the difficulty in making peace is that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government, as a friend of mine recently explained, is Alawite Muslim (a sect of Shi’a Islam) while the large majority of the Syrian people are Sunni Muslims. There is a conflict between Sunni and Shi’a Islam in many parts of the Muslim world, and the regime, of course, wants to ensure its survival. Making peace with Israel is always controversial, to say the least.
Iran, of course, would also be opposed to peace with Israel. Iran wants to become the dominant regional power, and Syria is one of its closest allies. (I have yet to understand what Syria — or anyone, for that matter — gains from having friendly relations with Iran, but perhaps the simple reason is that both governments are Shi’a ones.) Iran, after all, has been fighting a war with Israel by transporting weapons through Damascus to its proxy, Hizbollah.
Still, I remain convinced that other Middle Eastern countries will, in the end, accept Israel out of economic necessity. Israel has the strongest economy in the region (though the United Arab Emirates is growing rapidly as well), and its neighbors will need to build free-market systems — with Israel — if they ever want their people to increase their qualities of life. Syria is no exception.
The entire, ongoing series: Part V: The Right of Return; Part IV: The Palestinians Need a Viable State; Part III: Settlements and the Separation Barrier; Part II: Israel Needs Electoral Reform; Part I: Fix the Palestinian Authority
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