Israel Holds Peace Talks With Syria

JERUSALEM — Israel and Syria announced Wednesday that they were engaged in negotiations for a comprehensive peace treaty through Turkish mediators, the first time in eight years that such talks have taken place.

Senior Israeli officials from Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s office and their Syrian counterparts were in Istanbul on Wednesday, where both groups had been staying separately, at undisclosed locations, since Monday. The mediators shuttled between the two.

On the other hand, many other Israeli officials and analysts see great benefits for Israel in a deal with Syria, a prime sponsor of Hezbollah and provider of rockets and arms to the group, many from Iran. Hamas and Islamic Jihad have headquarters in Damascus, and Israel will seek, in these negotiations, to have them shuttered.

To pull Syria out of the orbit of Iran and return it to the more pro-Western world of Egypt, Jordan and even Saudi Arabia would be a major victory for Israel.

A real peace treaty with Syria would bring Israel significant advantages in Lebanon and the Palestinian territories.

After the midday announcement here of the existence of the talks, the air waves were filled with officials of the right and center expressing skepticism about the outcome and saying that Israel should not leave the Golan. Politicians of the left, on the other hand, expressed hope.

Ran Cohen, a parliamentarian from the dovish Meretz party, told Israel Radio: “I think this move is very important, very positive. It’s too bad it did not begin a long time ago because there is a genuine chance to isolate Iran from Syria and Lebanon.”

Others said they feared that the announcement was an attempt to divert attention from Mr. Olmert’s legal troubles.

“I very much welcome any process that can advance peace between us and our neighbors, first and foremost with Syria,” said Eitan Kabel, secretary-general of the Labor Party, which is in the government with Mr. Olmert’s Kadima party. “I very much hope this isn’t some sort of spin whose goal is pull screen over the situation that the prime minister is in.”

In past negotiations, the sticking point between Israel and Syria has been whether yielding the Golan to the Syrians gave them sovereignty all the way to the water line of the Sea of Galilee. The Syrians say yes, the Israelis have said no, fearing to lose access to drinking water.