Forum of the Peace Iniative with Syria - declaration

Forum of the Peace Iniative with Syria

A new forum for promoting a peace initiave with Syria has been established.
This forum came into being following earlier meetings between Israelis and
mediators from UK and USA.

Intellectuals ,academics and businessmen are members in the forum, amongst
whom:

Sami Michael, Amnon Lipkin Shahak, Yakov Peri, Dr. Alon Liel, Pr. Yoram
Peri, David Sasson, Dr.Moshe Amirav, Dr. Alla Shainskaya,  Drora Ben Dov,
Bruno Landsberg,Yossi Zadik, Niso Bezalel, Iris Elhanani, Linda Menuhin,
Rachel Yonah Michael, Fredy Zaq, Nadia Cohen, Sofie Ben Dor, Prof. Yigal
Shwarz, Prof. Menahem Klein,  Etty Livni, Dr. Dina Ziserman, Prof. Shimon
Ulman, David Kimhi and  Prof. Galia Golan.

The forum will convene on Sunday the 28th of January at 18:30
the Hebrew- Arabic Theater in Jaffa .
10 Mifratz Shlomo St .

Key speakers at the event:

Sami Michael,  Dr. Alon Liel, Yakov Peri ,   Sofie Ben Dor, Dr. Alla
Shainskaya and William Morris CEO - the Next Century Foundation -England

Members of the forum have worked out a declaration calling upon the public
to join in order to promote the peace talks with Syria.

Below is the wording of the declaration:

Forum of the peace iniative with Syria

We, the undersigned, represent a wide spectrum of opinions and political
attitudes. We believe that the time has come to respond seriously to the
signs that are coming from

Syria. Since the day the State of Israel was founded, we have regarded Syria
as the most stubborn and determined enemy endangering our existence. And
now, after bitter wars and conflicts between us, there are hints coming from
Syria that show a desire to open a new page, a page of reconciliation for
political settlement.

Prior to signing the peace treaty with Egypt, many firm opponents stood up
to claim the development as impossible . But peace with the largest Arab
state has lasted, despite the great tribulations that befell the region.

We believe that ignoring the conciliatory initiative with Syria would be an
irresponsible gamble with the future of the State of Israel. Out of concern
for our existence, and out of concern for the next generation and the
generations after that, we must re-examine our attitude of regarding the
border with Syria as one of eternal enmity and war. We gave up Sinai and in
return we gained peace with Egypt. We call upon the government of Israel,
upon those amongst us who are responsible for designing policy, to listen to
the voices that are making themselves heard from Damascus. Peace with Syria
means peace with the region in which we live. The price of peace is much
cheaper than the bitter and destructive price of war.

We call upon the public to join its voice to ours. We must all take the
patriotic step of trying to dismantle the obstacles of hatred, enmity and
war that have been sown between us and Syria.
[Remainder of this item was transmitted previously]
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