Israel's Peretz sees Syria's call for talks deserving consideration

Israel's Defense Minister Amir Peretz said on Sunday that Syria's overtures for dialogue with Israel deserve consideration while some officials show caution at Damascus' support for "terror", local media reported.

According to local newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, Peretz said at Sunday's cabinet meeting that "the statements should be looked into ... the matter deserves thorough examination and evaluation."

On Friday, in an interview with an Italian newspaper, Syrian President Bashar Assad called on Israel to accept his proposal for opening peace negotiations.

Meanwhile, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem expressed Damascus' willing to resume talks with Israel without conditions last week.

The Syrian overtures for peace talks became the focus of Sunday 's Israeli cabinet meeting.

Israeli Tourism Minister Isaac Herzog echoed Peretz's sentiment, saying that "Assad and Moallem's words should be examined" but warned that Israel needs to be "extra cautious" in light of Syria's support for "terror organizations."

"Syria currently extends one hand to Israel and offers negotiations, while the other hand provides weapons to some of the worst terror organizations, and harbors (Hamas Politburo chief) Khaled Meshaal. The disappointments of the past require us to be extra cautious," Herzog said.

Right-wing Likud Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu also stated on Saturday that Assad's statements should be given consideration.

However, Israeli Vice Premier Shimon Peres rejected Saturday night Syria's call for unconditional talks with Israel, saying that before such talks could commence, certain Israeli preconditions must be met, including a halt in sheltering terror leaders and stopping the actions of the exiled Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal in Syria.

Source: Xinhua