Israel open to peace talks with Syria: Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gestures as he speaks during a conference in Herzliya, Israel on February 3, 2010. Netanyahu has said that his country is open to peace talks with Syria, attempting to end a recent war of words between the two old enemies.

Israel’s Prime Minister says his country is open to peace talks with Syria, attempting to end a recent war of words between the two old enemies.

Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel wants peace agreements with the Palestinians and the Syrians similar to the ones it signed with Egypt and Jordan.

Israeli and Syrian officials have traded threats over the past week, raising concerns of an escalation. Mr. Netanyahu’s comments at his Cabinet’s weekly meeting on Sunday appeared aimed at calming those tensions.

Mr. Netanyahu says Israel is willing to negotiate if there are no preconditions and if its security is guaranteed. Syria is demanding Israel withdraw from the Golan Heights, a strategic plateau Israel captured in 1967 and later annexed.