J Street believes that an Israeli-Syrian peace treaty would contribute significantly to stability and security in the region. The US should vigorously encourage and facilitate Israeli-Syrian peace talks, similar to efforts pursued previously by Israeli Prime Ministers Rabin, Netanyahu, and Barak.

Neither US nor Israeli interests are served by downgrading channels of communication between Washington and Damascus or by pushing Syria further into a corner occupied by more radical and hostile forces. The United States should certainly not prevent or undermine talks between Israel and Syria as sources in all three countries suggest has been the case during the Bush Administration.

Sanctions are not an end in themselves, and without appropriate offers of political alternatives, are unlikely to produce desired policy shifts. Effective US diplomatic engagement with Damascus should also address Syria’s role in the Iraqi, Lebanese and Palestinian arenas. US-Syrian deal-making need not and should not be at the expense of Lebanese independence or sovereignty.