(UPDATED) SYRIAN MEDIATOR TELLS ISRAEL TERROR ENDS FOR GOLAN

Syrian mediator tells Knesset Syria will renounce terror in return for Golan (YNet)
Syrian-American mediator Ibrahim Suleiman told the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Thursday that Damascus was willing to renounce terror and severe ties with Hizbullah in return for the Golan Heights, Meretz MK Zahava Gal-On said. Gal-On said Suleiman outlined to committee members the dividends that Israel could reap by signing a peace accord with Syria. (Amnon Meranda)

DOES THIS GUY SPEAK FOR ASSAD? CAN ISRAEL GIVE UP THE HIGH GROUND OVERLOOKING IT'S BREAD BASKET? SHOULD ISRAEL GIVE UP THE DISPUTED LAND ALONG THE WATER'S (KINNERET'S) EDGE? IS RENOUNCING TERROR ENOUGH? SHOULDN'T THERE BE A FULL PEACE TREATY?

Suleiman: Israel should make 1st move (JPost)
Syrian President Bashar Assad should not make the first move in a peace deal with Israel, Syrian American Abe Suleiman, a US-based Syrian businessman told Channel 2 early Thursday evening.

"Why should Assad make the first gesture to Israel? He is not occupying Israeli land; it is Israel that is occupying Syrian land," said Suleiman.

He also warned against an Israeli offensive, saying that although Syria was not planning to wage war on Israel, the country would defend itself at any cost should Israel decide to attack Syria.

"Syria is not planning to attack Israel… but make no mistake, if Israel attacks Syria, Syria will defend itself.

Suleiman claimed that because the IDF was "humiliated last summer," chances for a campaign against Syria were high, in order to restore the country's military pride.

The Syrian American said that the only "obstacle" preventing the achievement of peace was the "prime minister of Israel" who in his eyes "is too weak."