BICOM

Labour Party Knesset Member Isaac Herzog revealed that Syrian opposition leaders told him they would negotiate with Israel after Syrian President Bashar Assad falls, in an interview with Makor Rishon published today. Herzog spoke about his contacts with numerous Syrian opposition groups, which began during Operation Cast Lead in 2009, and which have been maintained by direct meetings, telephone calls and emails. Herzog’s contacts included activists in the Syrian National Council and smaller organisations, and even representatives of the Syrian Liberation Army‫.

When asked how the Syrian opposition view Israel, Herzog said,  “They aren’‎t going to be our friends, but they aren’‎t going to fight us. We’‎ll sit down to negotiate borders and the Golan. The only thing they’‎re interested in is for the world to bring about a change in the regime in Syria.” The MK did not name his sources, as he said they fear retribution from Assad’s security forces. But he indicated that the opposition leaders he spoke to were part of the main rebel factions in Syria.

Herzog called on the Israeli government to be more proactive in supporting the Syrian opposition, including with the offer of humanitarian assistance. Until now Israel has deliberately kept a low profile. According to Herzog this has fuelled the inaccurate impression that Israel wants Assad to stay.

Meanwhile in Syria last night, troops loyal to Assad massed around the rebel-held Baba Amr neighborhood of Homs, raising fears that the government is preparing an all-out ground assault.