Israel Reportedly Ready to Return Golan

“Informed sources” say the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, a historically contested area between Israel and Syria, may soon find itself under new management. The two countries, which have been at war with each other since 1973, are both looking to resume the stalled 2000 peace talk process, which Syria has declared will not happen until the Golan Heights are returned.

The BBC:

Turkey’s prime minister has told Syrian President Bashar Assad that Israel would withdraw from the Golan Heights in return for peace, reports say.

The al-Watan newspaper quoted “informed sources” as saying Recep Tayyip Erdogan had telephoned Mr Assad on Tuesday morning to inform him of the offer.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has declined to comment.

Israel and Syria remain technically at war although both sides have recently spoken of their desire for peace.

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flickr.com / John Barnabas

According to a newspaper report, the Golan Heights might be returned to Syria after 35 years of Israeli occupation.