Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said he would welcome Syria’s participation in the United States-sponsored peace summit in Annapolis, Maryland, this week.
Olmert said he would view negotiations with Syria after the conference as a positive development, if the conditions were right.
The prime minister was addressing a group of Israeli journalists on his jet before departing for Annapolis on Saturday night.
Damascus says it will consider participating in the conference only after Washington gives Syria a written guarantee that the Golan issue will be discussed at the summit.
The Golan is a plateau on the border of Israel, Lebanon and Syria spanning about 1,158 square kilometers (447 square miles).
It is an important asset for Israel because of its natural and strategic benefits, particularly in water resources and security.
Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria during the 1967 War (Six Day War). The area is still contested by Syria.
Analysts say Syria is reluctant to show enthusiasm about participating in the summit, because Syria President Bashar Al-Asad wants to show his strength at home. Many Arabs leaders and analysts have expressed concern that the conference will be no more than a photo-op that will boost Israel’s standing while offering the Arab participants nothing.
Foreign ministers from the Arab League decided on Friday to attend the summit, which will focus mostly on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.