Senior aides to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Yoram Turbowitz and Shalom Turjeman traveled to Turkey on Tuesday morning as they prepare for a third round of indirect talks between Israel and Syria. The next round of talks will follow the same protocol as previous meetings, scheduled to be held in Istanbul with Turkish officials mediating between the parties.

While the Prime Minister’s Office continues to boast moving ahead on several ‘peace tracks’ simultaneously, the Syrians have not openly softened their position, demanding an Israeli guarantee for a total and unconditional withdrawal from the entire Golan Heights as a prerequisite to negotiations.

In a related matter, the Knesset on Monday passed the first reading of a bill that would demand a national referendum prior to Israel agreeing to any Golan Heights withdrawal as part of a peace agreement.

According to MK (Kadima) David Tal’s bill, any concessions on the Golan Heights would require cabinet approval, Knesset approval and then a majority in a national referendum. On the other hand, the bill stipulates that if the Knesset approves an agreement by a vote of 80 or more of the 120 MKs, a national referendum would not be required to endorse a peace plan.

The bill enjoyed support from all parties and it is expected to pass its second and third readings without obstacles.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)