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Netanyahu was invited by Obama to meet with him Tuesday at the White House to the Middle East peace process. Image Credit: AP

Occupied Jerusalem: Israel's prime minister said on Sunday that Israel is open to peace talks with Syria, attempting to end a recent war of words between the two old enemies.

Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel wants peace agreements with the Palestinians and the Syrians similar to the ones it signed with Egypt and Jordan.

Israeli and Syrian officials have traded threats over the past week, raising concerns of an escalation.

Netanyahu's comments at his Cabinet's weekly meeting on Sunday appeared aimed at calming those tensions.

Netanyahu says Israel is willing to negotiate if there are no preconditions and if its security is guaranteed.

Syria is demanding Israel withdraw from the Golan Heights, a strategic plateau Israel captured in 1967 and later annexed.