| Published April 26, 2025
In desperate push for removal of US sanctions, Islamist leader tells American lawmaker Syria wants to normalize ties with Jerusalem ‘under the right conditions’
In a significant diplomatic development, Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has expressed a willingness to normalize relations with Israel, contingent upon certain conditions. This move could potentially pave the way for Syria’s inclusion in the Abraham Accords, a series of U.S.-brokered agreements that have facilitated normalization between Israel and several Arab nations since 2020.
During a recent meeting in Damascus with U.S. Congressman Cory Mills, al-Sharaa conveyed Syria’s interest in joining the Abraham Accords “under the right conditions.” While specific prerequisites were not detailed, it is believed that Syria seeks the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Syria and an end to Israeli airstrikes within its territory. Additionally, Syria is aiming for the lifting of U.S.-imposed economic sanctions, which have been in place since the Assad regime’s crackdown in 2011. Al-Sharaa’s administration is also seeking the removal of the terrorist designation from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the group he formerly led.
This outreach marks a notable shift in Syria’s foreign policy, especially considering its historical stance against Israel. Al-Sharaa’s government appears to be prioritizing national reconstruction and economic recovery over longstanding hostilities. By exploring normalization with Israel, Syria aims to reintegrate into the international community and attract much-needed foreign investment.
However, the path to normalization is fraught with challenges. Israel’s continued military presence in the Golan Heights and its airstrikes targeting Iranian-linked assets in Syria remain contentious issues. Moreover, the U.S. has yet to officially recognize al-Sharaa’s government, and any progress toward normalization would require navigating complex regional dynamics and addressing concerns from various stakeholders.
Despite these hurdles, Syria’s expressed openness to dialogue and potential normalization with Israel underlines a pragmatic approach by the new leadership. If successful, this could signify a transformative moment in Middle Eastern diplomacy, fostering greater stability and cooperation in the region.
Implications of Syria’s Openness to Normalizing Ties with Israel
🌍 1. Regional Diplomatic Shift
Syria’s willingness to explore normalization with Israel under the right conditions would represent a significant shift in Middle Eastern geopolitics. If Syria were to join the Abraham Accords, it could help facilitate greater stability in the region by encouraging other nations with historically adversarial stances toward Israel to consider dialogue. This could also affect alliances, as countries like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan would likely reevaluate their foreign policies in response to Syria’s decision.
💰 2. Economic Opportunities and Reconstruction for Syria
For Syria, economic recovery is paramount. Normalizing ties with Israel could open the door to international investment and aid, especially if sanctions are lifted and Syria is reintegrated into the global community. The Syrian economy, devastated by years of conflict, could benefit from improved trade relations and potentially a share in the Middle Eastern economic integration facilitated by the Abraham Accords.
🔒 3. Tensions with Iran and Proxy Groups
While Syria may benefit from potential normalization with Israel, it risks upsetting its alliance with Iran and Iranian-backed militias, who play a central role in Syria’s current military and political landscape. These groups could view any thawing of relations with Israel as a betrayal, leading to internal unrest or even heightened conflict with Israel. The alignment between Syria, Iran, and Hezbollah could be strained if Syria seeks to reduce Iran’s influence in favor of international acceptance.
⚖️ 4. Impact on U.S. and Western Relations
For the United States, any positive steps toward normalization could be viewed with cautious optimism. Syria would likely need to make significant political and military concessions for the U.S. to support this move, such as ceasing hostilities against Israel and severing its ties with Iran-backed groups. These negotiations could have broader implications for U.S. relations with Syria, especially in terms of lifting sanctions and granting more economic aid for reconstruction.
🚨 5. Potential Challenges from Israel
Israel’s response would be pivotal. While it may welcome any opportunity for peace, Israel has longstanding security concerns regarding Syria’s role in harboring Iranian forces and the potential for future instability in the Golan Heights. The pace of military disengagement in southern Syria and halting airstrikes would be crucial conditions for normalization, and Israel could view these as insufficient or temporary at best.
🌐 6. Future of the Abraham Accords
Syria’s potential inclusion in the Abraham Accords could redefine the trajectory of these agreements. While the normalization of ties between Israel and Arab countries like the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco is seen as a diplomatic breakthrough, adding Syria would signal the most profound shift in regional alignments since the accords were first signed. It could also prompt further peace agreements between Israel and other Arab nations previously opposed to diplomatic relations.
🤝 7. Precedent for Other Conflicted Nations
If Syria succeeds in normalizing ties with Israel, it may set a precedent for other countries with strained relationships with Israel to follow suit. This could lead to the gradual dissolution of historical conflicts, especially as countries weigh the benefits of peace and economic cooperation versus the challenges of maintaining outdated alliances.
Overall Takeaway
Syria’s expressed openness to normalizing ties with Israel under the right conditions marks a significant shift in Middle Eastern diplomacy. This move, potentially paving the way for Syria’s inclusion in the Abraham Accords, highlights a pragmatic approach by Syria’s leadership to prioritize economic recovery and international reintegration over historical hostilities. However, this initiative comes with numerous challenges, including navigating complex relationships with Iran, Hezbollah, and Israel’s security concerns.
If successful, this could lead to greater regional stability, open up economic opportunities for Syria, and set a new precedent for peace in the Middle East. But with obstacles such as military disengagement, political concessions, and the impact on alliances, the road to normalization remains uncertain. The outcome will have lasting implications for the region’s geopolitical landscape and could reshape future diplomatic efforts in the Arab world.
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