9/11 marked a historic shift in the way Muslims were related to in America. While a negative Islamophobic trend developed, a parallel process happened. Israeli and Palestinian relations went from bad to worse. This perfect storm of 9/11+ Intifada made Jewish-Muslim dialog impossible. Both sides found no common ground.

Within the Jewish community there have been other voices, espcially since Obama got elected. Theses voices finally won the day. Jewish leadership is now interested in dialog, using the different communities as a bridge.

The challenge is the politics of the Mid East, which we in our dialog have shown, can be part of an ongoing conversation. I have no doubt that many Jews might have realized that it is time to rebuild relations and stop listening to the Islamophobhic diatribe coming from weird think tanks.

Palestinian issue is definitely central to any attempt to  solve and change Mid East-USA relations. However if you read the  recent reports about the way Israeli soldiers relate to Palestinians as moving targets,you must realize the challenges facing OBAMA. Palestinians also distrust American emissaries,and despise Israeli double talk.

The level of distrust and hate between the warring people on the ground has increased many fold in the last 9 years. There is so much work that needs to be done, to get to any real understanding. So even if Obama would declare that Palestine is his priority, he would have to take many preparatory steps.

The President would have to start in DC/Congress to get them out of the AIPAC agenda. How many partners does he have for this? So it is a long road towards the first REAL peace intitaitive.

While I agree that Obama seems to be taking a multi-pronged approach to the Muslim world, which may help his efforts in Palestine-Israel, he still needs to tackle the Israeli-Palestinian conflict full force from the start. All problems stem from this long lasting conflict that seems to have no end. But is Obama willing to challenge Israel on its unfair policies towards the Palestinians? Like many Presidents before him, probably not.

Israel has had many hard-lined right wing governments in the past, but this fact alone did not stop Tel Aviv from making peace with some of its Arab and Muslim neighbors.

The wait continues and unfortunately, this will mean more bloodshed on both sides, more confiscated lands, demolished homes and dashed dreams.

There is a shift in policy in different Obama initiatives that might make the BUSH era finally look like bygone. 5 main changes already happened. Envoys were sent to Syria, Iran invited to an Afghanistan conference, strengthening Turkey role as Mediator, support UK initiative to talk to Hezbollah, trying to talk to moderate Taliban. All these are connected to an Engagement trend,that will bear fruits sometime.

For Israel the challenge is how to answer these developments, as the new government is really a pro Bush in its mentality. Obama has a very hard partner in Israel and its AIPAC friends in DC. But by doing all this outreach to the Arab world, Obama is first trying to change the non Palestinian -Israeli world. Then he will deal with the hardcore issues that so many presidents before him failed at

Although Syria boasts that it has always wanted a comprehensive peace with Israel that includes the Palestinians, I think that Damascus is more than willing to go the route that Jordan and Egypt took, which means that the Palestinians will again be left out of the peace loop. I do think that it takes right-wing Israeli  governments to make peace with the Arabs, which unfortunately comes at the cost of Palestinian lives and misery.

Do you think that Obama will be able to broker a peace between Netanyahu and Assad? Where do you think Netanyahu will take Israel?

I interviewed the Syrian ambassador to the US a couple years ago for an article. He expressed his country’s great desire to have talks with the U.S. and make peace with Israel. So I think that the desire is there and has always been there. Official public statements also indicate this. But of course, the Syrian posiiton has always been clear on the Golan Heights, Damascus wants it all back. The two countries were close to making a deal not too long ago. But the environment was ripe. Today, the Israeli leadership has changed so dramatically that I wonder ifIsrael is ready for peace?

Great article, that gives a hint that this triangle-USA-Israel-Syria might work. Although as you say the new regime in Israel is an unknown quantity.  But Israeli Establishment always thought it is easier to talk to other Arab countries than with the Palestinians. Because land is easier to deal with than rights, especially Jerusalem and refugee issues.

Will Syria look at the fate of the Palestinians and refuse to make an agreement with a right- wing Israeli regime? Do you feel as a Syrian American that Palestine is the issue that Syria should not avoid when talking to Israel?

These 2 countries had an off and on dialog for years. But they never made it to the final stage. it seems so easy actually, because compared to the Palestinian complex this is a no brainer. See www.jpost.com of today.

I have been to the Golan Heights and its clear that the return of this land can be part of a new trust and agreement between the 2 countries. I think that the people in both countries would welcome it. As you visit Syria every summer, wondered what your take on this is? Can Syria with the help of Turkey or the USA take a new direction?

Yes, I think there are many ways. But I think that trust and confidence is low. People are not willing to move forward. Nonetheless, it should be noted that mosques, churches and synagogues have been dialoguing in various parts of the country. There is an exchange happening, but it is not at a point of critical mass. It is low-level and while such exchanges are opening hearts and minds, there is always more to be done. The need is always there.

Perhaps writing a poem, painting a portrait, composing music, planting olive trees in the promised land.  Maybe we start a SIRIUS radio station that can be heard every where and where we just talk and get others to call, email and chat with us!