A New Chapter in Israeli-Syrian Relations?
In a move that would have seemed unthinkable a year ago, high-level officials from Israel and Syria have reportedly held direct talks in Azerbaijan — the first of their kind in decades. As regional dynamics evolve rapidly, especially with new leadership in Damascus and shifting U.S. policies under President Donald Trump, these secret discussions mark a potentially historic turning point in the long-standing hostility between the two countries.
Historic Meeting: Israeli General Meets Syrian Officials in Azerbaijan
According to a senior Israeli source, Major General Oded Basyuk, the head of the Israeli military’s Operations Directorate, met directly with representatives of Syria’s interim government in Azerbaijan. Turkish officials were also present, underscoring Ankara's growing role as a regional mediator. While the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) declined to confirm or deny the talks, Israeli Channel 12 was the first to report the extraordinary meeting.
These contacts come at a time when Israel is expanding its military presence in Syria under the pretext of fighting terrorism, but with increasingly permanent overtones.
Syria’s New Leadership: Sharaa Steps into the Spotlight
The talks follow a major political upheaval in Syria. Ahmad al-Sharaa, once a U.S.-designated terrorist and a former jihadist, is now the interim Syrian president after leading an uprising that ousted longtime dictator Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. Sharaa has publicly acknowledged holding indirect talks with Israel, aiming to halt cross-border attacks and prevent escalation.
In an unprecedented twist, President Donald Trump met with Sharaa in Riyadh on May 14, 2025 — a meeting that shocked the region and signaled Washington’s willingness to pivot from its historic "Assad must go" policy to potential normalization with Sharaa's government.
Trump’s Middle East Pivot: From Isolation to Engagement
President Trump’s new Middle East approach marks a sharp departure from previous U.S. policy. During his meeting with Sharaa, Trump pledged to ease sanctions imposed during the Assad era and offered economic incentives in exchange for sweeping reforms. These include normalizing ties with Israel, expelling foreign militias (including Palestinian factions), and partnering with the U.S. to prevent an ISIS resurgence.
According to the U.S. Treasury, new authorizations are being prepared to facilitate investment into Syria. However, full sanction relief remains conditional, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating that temporary waivers will continue to be reviewed every six months.
This cautious easing has alarmed Israel, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu privately urging Trump not to lift sanctions fully, citing fears of another October 7-style surprise attack from groups like Hamas or Hezbollah.
Israel’s Expanding Role in Syria
Since the fall of Assad, Israel has moved deeper into Syrian territory. While initially portrayed as a temporary security buffer, Israeli officials now confirm that their military presence will remain for the foreseeable future. A buffer zone in southern Syria, supposedly created to protect the Druze minority, has been established — raising questions about Israel’s long-term objectives.
Israel also continues to occupy the Golan Heights, a strategic plateau it captured from Syria during the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed — a move never internationally recognized.
Muslim World Reacts: Suspicion and Strategic Watchfulness
From a Muslim perspective, the sudden Israeli-Syrian contact raises complex emotions. While the end of Assad's brutal reign has opened doors for regional diplomacy, many remain skeptical of the intentions behind these new talks. Is this a genuine step toward peace, or merely geopolitical maneuvering masked as diplomacy?
Key concerns include:
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Normalization with Israel: Arab and Muslim-majority nations have long linked normalization to Palestinian statehood. Any Syrian move to establish ties without progress on the Palestinian issue could be seen as betrayal.
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U.S. influence: Trump's active courtship of Sharaa, combined with pressure to align with Israel, raises fears of foreign dominance over Syria's future.
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Militarization of diplomacy: Israel’s entrenched military presence in Syria casts a shadow over any peace overtures, leading many in the Muslim world to question the sincerity of Israeli intentions.
Looking Ahead: Hope or Mirage?
The direct talks between Israel and Syria — if confirmed — mark a rare moment of dialogue in a region mired in decades of hostility. But deep mistrust, unresolved territorial disputes, and the fragile political situation in Syria make any long-term peace agreement elusive.
Still, the fact that both sides are even entertaining dialogue is a significant development. Whether this leads to peace or merely a pause in hostilities remains to be seen.
