Al-Sharaa: October 7 cannot dictate Israel's Syria policy
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa argued that the October 7 massacre should not dictate Israel's regional policy, suggesting that current Israeli military actions in Syria are counterproductive. He emphasized the need for mutual respect and economic cooperation to ensure long-term security.
Why it matters
This statement highlights a significant diplomatic perspective from a regional leader regarding the ongoing conflict between Israel and its neighbors, challenging the current Israeli security doctrine.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa offered one of his most extensive public assessments of Israel-Syria relations on Tuesday night, saying the October 7 massacre cannot be allowed to determine Israel's policy toward Syria and revealing that negotiations between the two countries had at one point reached "almost 90%" agreement.Speaking at an Atlantic Council panel in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, Sharaa addressed direct talks with Israel, the future of the Golan Heights, Israeli security concerns, and his own controversial past in al-Qaeda.Asked whether he understood the trauma experienced by Israeli society after October 7 and what message he had for ordinary Israelis, Sharaa said he understood what had happened to innocent civilians but argued that the attack could not serve as the basis for Israel's broader regional policy."I understand what happened on October 7 to some of the innocent people," he said.
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