Israel accepts Turkish mediation offer in talks with Syria

Israel has accepted a Turkish offer to mediate in possible talks with Syria, an Israeli foreign ministry official said Saturday, stressing it did not mean the Jewish state had accepted Damascus’ peace overtures.

"We have agreed to Turkey’s offer of assistance in anything to do with the Syrian track, we are definitely looking at them playing a helpful role," spokesman Jonathan Peled told AFP, saying Israel "greatly appreciated" the Turkish offer.

He denied the move amounted to an Israeli acceptance of recent Syrian peace overtures.

"We need to see deeds and not only words and declarations from Syria – there is still a lot to be desired before we can say we are entering negotiations," he said.