JERUSALEM, June 8 (UPI) -- Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told Syrian President Bashar Assad Israel is willing to withdraw from the Golan Heights, a newspaper said Friday.
Olmert's secret message to Damascus said the withdrawal would be in exchange for a peace plan that would include Syria ending its ties with Iran and terror groups, Yedioth Ahronoth reported.
Assad did not respond immediately to Olmert's overture, the newspaper reported.
The report brought praise from some Israeli politicians and condemnation from others, Ynetnews reported.
"Olmert has no legitimacy from the public for a withdrawal from the Golan Heights, and his administration is a danger to Israel's security," Likud Knesset Member Gideon Sa'ar said, Ynetnews reported.
"Ehud Olmert would sell the Golan Heights for his seat. He is trying to save his own skin, and his statement regarding a withdrawal from the Golan is a desperate attempt to survive," National Union-NRP Chairman Zevulun Orlev told Ynetnews.
Others praised the idea.
"The price tag for a viable peace agreement with Syria is a full withdrawal from the Golan Heights," United Arab List-Ta'al Knesset Member Ahmad Tibi told Ynetnews. "The negotiations must be renewed immediately."
