The Middle East Since Camp David by Robert O. Freedman

Author:Robert O. Freedman [Freedman, Robert O.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780367293994
Google: 7xbhyQEACAAJ
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Group
Published: 2019-09-13T11:12:36+00:00

Syria and Israel—The Bilateral Connection

In some ways it is anomalous to speak of bilateral relations between two countries that are at war and do not deal directly with one another. But even in such conditions, the level of animosity or of tolerance for each other’s behavior can and does vary. Relations between Syria and Israel were perhaps at their least contentious in the mid-1970s. Secretary Kissinger concluded an arrangement whereby the two parties indirectly acknowledged each other’s zones of interest in Lebanon.25 This particular arrangement proved fairly durable; trouble over the military operations around Zahle in 1981 was the first significant break in it.

Nonetheless, relations between Syria and Israel have hardened since Anwar Sadat’s visit to Jerusalem, the Camp David accords, and the treaty. Syria was a charter member of the Steadfastness and Confrontation Front (along with Libya, Algeria, PDRY, and the PLO), which was formed to oppose the consequences of these moves. Syria saw the treaty between Israel and Egypt as a separate peace, one that would virtually eliminate the possibility of a broad approach to a settlement, a tactic in which Arab numbers would count. The semi-official newspaper Tishrin said, anticipating the signing of a treaty, “with the establishment of a separate peace there will emerge a new state of conflict in the area threatening all possibilities for establishing a genuine peace.”26 Israeli actions since the treaty have strengthened Syrian perceptions that Israel intends to use the separation of Egypt from “the battle” in order to encroach further on territory Syria regards as Arab. Among these actions are the spread of settlements on the West Bank and support for the “free Lebanon” that Saad Haddad proclaimed in the strip of land along Israel’s northern border that he controls with forces armed by Israel.27

Of most direct concern to Syria is the question of the Golan Heights. Syria broke with Egypt over the question of a second-stage disengagement in 1975; Assad judged that the relative simplicity of the Egyptian position in Sinai could not be replicated in the Golan area. Israel holds very strongly to the view that Syrian forces must never have an opportunity to reoccupy the heights overlooking Jewish communities along the Sea of Galilee. Hence it was, at most, willing to consider returning in a second stage a very thin slice of territory; Assad considered it too small. At the time of the treaty the Israeli settlements in the heights had some 4,000 people. The numbers are now approximately thirty-one settlements and 7,000 people.28

Stating the issue in regard to the Golan is simplicity itself. Syria wants to regain the territory it lost in 1967; any such return must be linked to a solution that gives the Palestinians a state of their own. Otherwise they would remain a political burden on Syria and an overwhelming impediment to establishing a functioning political system in Lebanon. Israel insists on controlling the Golan area for reasons of security, and it has progressively hardened its position. In April 1979 then Agriculture Minister

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