“Talking to the Enemy”: Clandestine and Public Encounters for Peace between Israel and Syria (1948–2023)

Israeli-Syrian relations have often been characterized by hostility and violence. Despite these periods of animosity, there were genuine opportunities for peace between them. However, these opportunities were not realized for various reasons. This article explores the failed attempts to engage in talks and potentially reach a peace agreement. The failures appear to stem from the personalities and decision-making styles of the leaders, as well as specific historical circumstances unique to each period. Key factors contributing to the failures include the significant gap between the two sides in terms of proposed solutions, a lack of leadership legitimacy, mutual distrust between leaders and societies, and a deep-seated sense of enmity that fostered animosity within each society, making it difficult for leaders to act contrary to prevailing negative perceptions.