Barak: Syria shouldn't test Israel

Jerusalem Post ^ | 2/17/2010 | Jpost.com Staff and Associated Press

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Wednesday reiterated his view that Jerusalem must enter peace talks with Damascus in the near future, prefacing his message with a warning to Syria not to make a military gamble against Israel.

“I’ve heard some statements about Syria. I do not recommend to any neighboring country, including Syria, to put us to the test. Having said that, I do believe a genuine negotiation with Syria is one of Israel interests. I keep on calling on [Syrian President Bashar] Assad – we all understand what’s on the table and the time is now,” Barak said during the Jerusalem Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.

“We don’t need to wait another ten or 20 years or for another round or two of war,” Barak said.

The defense minister’s comments were made after Tishrin, a Syrian daily and regime mouthpiece, said Syria was preparing for both the consequences of war as well as of peace. The piece said statements by Israeli officials express the position of the government, making a reference to statements made last week by Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, who warned Assad that in a future war, not only will Syria lose but Assad and his family will lose their seats.

Barak was speaking just hours after Assad met with Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns

[Deagle]

Well, Syria along with Iran seem to have a complex when talking about Israel. Maybe it’s time that both be put down again...(before it’s too late).

[SJackson]

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