Ben Ami and peace with Syria

Israeli Minister of the Interior Shlomo Ben Ami said that the Israeli side has not decided to go to Shepherds negotiations with the Syrian side in order to "have a relations of love and friendship with the Syrians, rather to reach a settlement and peace with Syria."

In a statement he made to Israeli Radio on Thursday Ben Ami said that Israel is trying to change the image of the situation in Israel through making a breakthrough concerning the peace process with the Arab world.

He continued that one week is not enough for making such a breakthrough, "I think that issues debated on the work agenda of the negotiations are clear which are Lebanon, the waters, disarmament and the borders," he said.

Ben Ami voiced backing for the idea of a general referendum on the settlement with Syria, the Palestinians and withdrawal from the Golan and the West Bank because talks are not only about a settlement but a turning point in the "history of the state of Israel."