JERUSALEM — Israel and Syria unexpectedly announced Wednesday the resumption of peace talks after an eight-year break, saying they have been speaking indirectly through Turkish mediators “in order to achieve the goal of comprehensive peace.”
The longtime adversaries each have something to gain from the dialogue. Israel wants to reduce Syrian support for anti-Israel militants in Gaza and Lebanon, while Syria is eager to improve ties with the U.S. and end its international isolation.
But many obstacles, including a skeptical Israeli public opposed to ceding the strategic Golan Heights to Syria, a scandal-plagued Israeli prime minister and Syria’s providing a home base for militant groups, will make it difficult to reach a deal.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Syrian President Bashar Assad both recently confirmed their countries had exchanged messages. But Wednesday’s announcement, in identical statements issued minutes apart by Israel, Syria and Turkey, was the first official confirmation peace talks were under way.
“Syria and Israel have started indirect peace talks under the auspices of Turkey,” the statement said. It said the two enemies “have declared their intent to conduct these talks in good faith and with an open mind,” with a goal of reaching a comprehensive peace.
Noticeably absent from the announcement was the U.S., the traditional power broker in the region. White House spokeswoman Dana Perino suggested the United States was informed in advance but was not participating.
In an address Wednesday evening, Olmert said the contacts with Syria had been under way for over a year and noted that previous Israeli leaders were prepared to make “painful concessions” for peace with Syria. Those efforts, by then-prime ministers Yitzhak Rabin and Ehud Barak, failed.
“It is always better to talk than to shoot,” Olmert said, “and I’m happy the two sides have decided to talk,” though he predicted difficult negotiations.
Israel and Syria are bitter enemies whose attempts at reaching peace have failed in the past, most recently in 2000. The nations have fought three wars, their forces have clashed in Lebanon and, more recently, Syria has given support to Hezbollah and Palestinian militant groups in the Gaza Strip.
The sides’ demands in any peace deal are well-known. Syria wants a full Israeli withdrawal from the Golan Heights, a strategic plateau captured by Israel in the 1967 Middle East War and later annexed.
Israel wants Syria to end its support for militants and curb its ties with Iran, while establishing full relations with Israel.
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