Syria has demanded that the two sides go back to the precise lines that existed before the June 1967 war. Israel refuses to accept this, preferring instead borders that provide greater security and greater control over scarce water resources. The question is whether Syria is prepared to compromise and accept fair compensation for any negotiated adjustments. There are other issues to be resolved as well. Any territory returned to Syria will need to be demilitarized.
Limits are likely to be required on the stationing of Syrian forces near the Golan Heights.
Arrangements will need to be devised for sharing water resources. Prime Minister Barak is determined to establish ties with Syria and has the domestic political base to do it. Peace with Syria would also allow Barak to make good on his pledge to withdraw Israeli military forces from Lebanon. The advantage of withdrawing in the context of a deal with Syria is that Syria would commit to measures that would limit the use of Lebanon as a platform for attacks on Israel by Iran-supported extremists. A unilateral withdrawal by Israel would offer no such protection.