Diplomatic implications of the Udi and Eldad deal with Hezbollah

According to CNN, as well as other media outlets, Israel, in a vote of 22-3 approved the deal that would give Hezbollah five prisoners and in return Israel would get Udi Goldwasser, Eldad Regev and a report on Ron Arad. Arad is an Israeli Air Force officer that has been listed as missing since 1986.

I know that this is the right move for Israel to make; however, something like this should have been done two years ago. Israel should have been able to get back these soldiers during the Lebanon War, Part II; however, because Hezbollah shocked us by having modern weaponry. This deal, while it is good that were getting them back, should never have come to this. Israel has done something which shouldn't have been done, mainly now identifying Hezbollah as a legitimate organization that can be dealt with, which we know it can't. Any discussion now about Hezbollah being added to the EU terrorism list or for any additional sanctions or international actions to stop them from carrying out their terrorist activities and from taking control over the Lebanese government has gone out the door has taken a serious blow.

In the end, Israel did not have much of a choice. With a lot of pressure coming from within Israel to get these soldiers back as well as Israeli's being fed up with the current government, options were at a minimum. Our boys are home now; however, where does Israel go from here when it comes to dealing with Hezbollah? I sincerely hope my thoughts are wrong.

Does Syria really want peace?

On May 21, 2008 reports leaked of peace talks between Israel and Syria. When I first heard this, I thought this was impossible. Syria, essentially Iran's pawn in the Middle East, was in peace talks with Israel with the possibility of Israel returning the Golan Heights.

Israel took control over the Golan Heights in the Six Day War in 1967. In this war, it was decided that for the security of the country, Israel will take control of it. Why? Ever since the creation of the Jewish State, Israel in 1947 and the establishment in 1948, Israeli citizens in the north had been under attack from terrorist daily attacking them. Now, the Golan is a small piece of land, as this map shows:

However, this map does now show how important that tiny strip of land is. Let us look at this map and further explain the importance of the Golan Heights.
As you can see, the country that controls this territory will have a great advantage over the other two. In this case, because Israel is in control, it has a great view of both Lebanon and Syria. How, you may ask? Well, the Golan is mostly a very hilly region with great views of both countries; therefore, Israel is able to see any activities that may be going on in both countries when it comes to combating terrorism. Also, the Golan has a lake called the Kinneret which gives Israel's population 1/3 of it's water.

Now, I really and sincerely hope these discussions with Syria do lead to a meaningful and lasting peace; however, we need to be careful. I came upon this short article while browsing the internet from Syria's Deputy Foreign Minister Fayssal Mekdad said that Syria has the "non-peaceful" capabilities for getting the Golan from Israel. He also said "What is preferable - liberating the Golan through peace and without bloodshed or liberating the land through war? We are not afraid of launching a peace process with Israel." How I see this quote is that the option for a possible war between Israel and Syria for the Golan is very much possible.

My advice to Israel is too seek peace, but to tread very carefully, because I'm not convinced Syria is a real partner for peace.