Alarm at Rise of Netanyahu
Syria Media Report, 08-Aug-08
Alarm at Rise of Netanyahu
Syria Media Report, 08-Aug-08
The pro-government press in Syria has raised concerns about the future of peace talks with Israel after that country’s prime minister Ehud Olmert announced he would resign in September. The media questioned whether negotiations would continue if the right-wing former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is re-elected to the post.
Issam Dari, editor-in-chief of the official newspaper Tishreen, expressed reservations about Netanyahu, who is currently leading in the polls. Dari was pessimistic about the future of peace negotiations, arguing that political and social extremism is growing in Israel.
The pro-government website Al-Jamal on July 31 predicted that the Israeli government would adopt more aggressive policies toward Syria if Netanyahu won office. If, on the other hand, former defence minister Shaul Mofaz were elected, Israel’s stance would be less tough – Tzipi Livni, the chief negotiator with the Palestinian Authority, would likely put diplomatic pressure on Syria but peace talks would continue, Al-Jamal said.
Issam Dari, editor-in-chief of the official newspaper Tishreen, expressed reservations about Netanyahu, who is currently leading in the polls. Dari was pessimistic about the future of peace negotiations, arguing that political and social extremism is growing in Israel.
The pro-government website Al-Jamal on July 31 predicted that the Israeli government would adopt more aggressive policies toward Syria if Netanyahu won office. If, on the other hand, former defence minister Shaul Mofaz were elected, Israel’s stance would be less tough – Tzipi Livni, the chief negotiator with the Palestinian Authority, would likely put diplomatic pressure on Syria but peace talks would continue, Al-Jamal said.
