Jerusalem, 10 June 2000
Reactions by PM Barak and FM Levy to Assad's Death
PM Barak's Statement upon Assad's Death
(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Advisor)
The Government of Israel understands the sorrow of the Syrian
people over the death of President Hafez al-Assad.
Israel worked in the past to achieve peace with Syria, and will
continue to do so in the future with any new leadership that
emerges.
Israel places importance on the maintenance of calm on its
borders with Syrian and Lebanon, and hopes that Syria will do the
same.
FM Levy's Statement upon Assad Death
(Communicated by the Foreign Ministry Spokesman)
Israel is mindful of the mourning of the people of Syria over the
death of their leader, President Hafez al-Assad.
The president's death marks the end of an era in the Middle East,
and perhaps the beginning of a new era of hope.
We hope that the stability of Syria will be maintained, and that
its commitment to peace will take on a constructive meaning.
Israel looks toward the future, and will welcome any new Syrian
leadership which will create the conditions for a renewal of the
peace process.