Tel Aviv: Israel’s chief negotiator says that Rabin’s government has adopted. A go-slow approach toward Syria. “We need to digest the Palestinian peace. The Israeli public needs to see the dividends of peace before swallowing the next chunk,” he says.

Rabinovich said Syrian President Hafez Assad could force Rabin’s hand by making a dramatic gesture for peace, such as proposing a face-to-face meeting with Rabin, “Syria holds the key … We’re not in a great hurry,” he said.

He said the Syrians still haven’t put forward a serious peace proposal to Israel, but have indicated that they know what such an offer must include. Israel speaks of mutual recognition, an open border, a demilitarized zone along the Golan Heights and a reduction in the size of Syria’s army. Syria seeks the return of all the Golan Heights.

Article extracted from this publication >>  November 12, 1993