Report: Document puts Syria on Galilee’s banks

A Syrian draft document delineating the borders of the Golan Heights would put Syria on the banks of the Sea of Galilee.

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JERUSALEM (JTA) — A Syrian draft document delineating the borders of the Golan Heights would put Syria on the banks of the Sea of Galilee.

Syria is waiting for Israel’s response through Turkish mediators to a document defining the boundaries of the Golan Heights for the purpose of peace talks, Reuters reported Tuesday, citing sources familiar with the negotiations.

The boundaries, to identify what Syria says is occupied territory, uses six geographical points for reference, according to Reuters. The most significant point is the northeastern border of the Sea of Galilee, also called Lake Kinneret, which is Israel’s main water source.

"The president [Bashar Assad] was clear that Syria wants to know the Israeli view about what constitutes occupied Syrian territory before progress could be made," Reuters quoted one of the sources as saying.

Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister Majali Wahabi responded to a report of the draft document, saying Syria must first sever contact with Iran before making any demands of Israel, Reuters reported.

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