Syria’s new president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has expressed openness to a potential security arrangement with Israel but drew a firm line against normalization. Speaking in New York ahead of the UN General Assembly, Sharaa said his aim is to safeguard Syrian sovereignty while addressing Israel’s security concerns. He acknowledged ongoing negotiations and suggested progress could be made “in the coming days.” However, he stressed that Syria would not follow the path of nations that joined the Abraham Accords, citing the more than 1,000 Israeli raids and strikes inside Syria as a major obstacle.

Sharaa accused Israel of repeatedly violating past agreements with Egypt and Jordan, casting doubt on its intentions toward Syria. He also highlighted global anger over the war in Gaza as shaping Damascus’s hardened stance. His remarks came just after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke of a “new window of possibility” for peace with Syria and Lebanon following Israel’s operations against Hezbollah. While both sides acknowledge talks are underway, Sharaa clarified that any outcome will be limited to security measures rather than broader peace or normalization.

SOURCE: Israel National News