An Israel-Syria peace agreement can improve Israeli security and further American interests. It would at long last bring to an end the tensions and the state of war that exist on that border and pave the way for an Israel-Lebanon agreement that would weaken Hezbollah and contribute to security and stability across Israel's northern border.

Israel-Syria peace could also revitalize the Israeli-Palestinian peace track and could be leveraged toward comprehensive peace between Israel and the Arab world. Moreover, it could drive a wedge between Damascus and Teheran, weakening Iran's influence in the region and helping the U.S. and its allies worldwide to deal with the challenges emanating from Iran.

Unfortunately, from 2001 to 2008 the Bush Administration adopted a policy of non-engagement with Syria, extending to U.S. non-support for or even outright opposition to Israeli-Syria talks. Nonetheless, given that significant progress in negotiating an Israel-Syria agreement was achieved in negotiations in 2000, and given repeated Syrian overtures to Israel since that time, it was clear that circumstances were ripe for resuming these negotiations.

In 2008, without U.S. support, Israel entered into peace talks with Syria, under the auspices of Turkey. It is regrettable that the Bush Administration failed to take the lead in brokering these talks. Israel did the right thing in pursuing its strategic interests by entering negotiations, even without the participation or over the objections of the U.S.

This promising track could be re-opened today, but real progress requires American engagement and support, just as U.S. engagement has been vital to the achievement of other Israeli-Arab peace agreements. Indeed, it is widely understood that Syria’s objective in pursuing a peace agreement is not simply regaining the Golan but also achieving improved relations with the U.S. and the international community.

While there are, undoubtedly, legitimate concerns about the nature and the actions of the Assad regime, Syria is a key player with respect to stability in the region and Israeli security. U.S. engagement with Syria, both on bilateral issues and to support Israel-Syria negotiations, is critically important in determining whether the role Syria plays in the future will be positive or not.

APN supports a smart approach to U.S.-Syria relations that is founded on engagement and diplomacy, including support for serious Israel-Syria negotiations. APN rejects any efforts to place preconditions on US engagement with Syria or on Israel-Syria negotiations.