MESOP FLASH : KAMAL AL LABWANI : PEACE WITH ISRAEL

In TV Interview, Syrian Opposition Activist Kamal Al-Labwani Makes The Case For Peace With Israel

 In a March 19 television interview, Dr. Kamal Al-Labwani a  Syrian doctor and artist who was twice imprisoned by the Syrian regime and is a member of the Syrian National Coalition, the umbrella organization of the Syrian insurgents, reiterated his support for a peace agreement with Israel.

Al-Labwani told Syrian Orient News TV that in return for the Golan Heights, Syria would, following the example of Egypt, Jordan, and the Palestinians, renounce the military option and normalize relations with Israel. He argued that Israel gave cover to Assad because of the fear that a post-Assad Syria would attack Israel. Once a vulnerable Israel, living in “an ocean of Arab enmity” was reassured, he said, it would convince the Americans to “end the ban on weapons supply to the opposition.”

He added that reconciliation with the Jews was part and parcel of reconciliation with the Shi’ites, ‘Alawites, Kurds and Turks – in itself a prerequisite for peace in Syria. While the Jews, victimized by the Nazis and colonialism, might have conquered what was once Arab territory, the Arabs as well had conquered the territory of others, he stressed, and concluded that now, after a generation or more had elapsed, it was best to move on.

Below are excerpts from the interview:

Kamal Al-Labwani: “Israel is a state that was established under certain historical circumstances, as a result of World War II. It wants to survive. It is a vulnerable country, with a security problem that puts its very existence in jeopardy. It is surrounded by an ocean of Arab enmity. It fears for its future, so it has become a militarized state. It dreams of peace and stability.”

Interviewer: “Was the Al-Assad regime really hostile toward Israel?’

Kamal Al-Labwani: “No, the Al-Assad regime was Israel’s means for oppressing the Syrian people. This was based on people’s belief that if Syria’s dictatorship was lifted, the Syrian people would storm Jerusalem with swords. Today, after 40 years of failure and repeated defeats, we say to Israel: Okay, we are willing to give up the military option against you, and to normalize our relations, in exchange for the Golan Heights. It’s not like I was quoted in the press.

“I am talking about U.N. Resolution 242, which is supported by the Arab League, or with the Jewish people living there.”

Read The Full Report : http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/7915.htm