Lebanese broadcaster LBCI reported Sunday that Syria has laid out a set of preconditions for any potential peace accord with Israel, according to sources familiar with the matter.
As outlined in the report, Syria is seeking formal recognition of President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s leadership by Israel, a pullback from territories captured since last December as well as from the demilitarized buffer zone in the Golan Heights, a complete end to Israeli air raids on Syrian soil, and the establishment of coordinated security protocols in southern Syria, especially along its borders with Israel and Jordan.
The most critical demand, per the report, is that the United States provide binding assurances for the deal and offer diplomatic and economic backing for the Syrian government.
In exchange, Syria would be prepared to officially recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights.
Earlier this month, Axios revealed that Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu has shown interest in initiating US-brokered peace discussions with Syria’s new leadership.
According to the report, Netanyahu brought up this possibility during a recent conversation with US Envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack. His goal is to forge a new security framework between Jerusalem and Damascus that could pave the way for a full peace treaty — the first direct talks between the two nations in over a decade.
This policy initiative comes amid significant geopolitical shifts following the replacement of the Assad regime by al-Sharaa. Axios noted that while Israeli leadership initially hesitated due to al-Sharaa’s ties with Turkey and urged Washington to proceed carefully, President Donald Trump’s recent summit with al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia and subsequent American decision to lift sanctions on Syria led Israel to revisit its position.
In a separate development, Rabbi Abraham Cooper — who recently met with al-Sharaa in Damascus — told reporters that a direct meeting between the Syrian leader and Netanyahu might be within reach, provided Trump plays a leading role in organizing it.
Speaking to Kan News, Rabbi Cooper gave his personal impression of al-Sharaa, stating, “It’s true he’s an Islamist, but al-Sharaa speaks of a vision for his country that includes a united Syria with one army and equal rights. If he can achieve that, it would be a game-changer.”
On the topic of future Israeli-Syrian engagement, Cooper presented two potential paths: a short-term easing of tensions and a more formal political dialogue facilitated by the Trump administration. “The only quick path would be if someone named Donald Trump invited both leaders — Israel’s Prime Minister and Syria’s President — to Washington to sit together for a few hours. That could change everything.”
Cooper added that al-Sharaa conveyed to him that resolving the conflict with Israel is a key objective. “We intend to continue advancing this,” Cooper said, noting that the Syrian president seemed sincerely interested in pursuing peace.
{Matzav.com}
First let him get control of hezbolla, isis, et al before conceding anything or signing deals.
Foreign Minister Gideon Saar: The Golan Heights will remain part of Israel.
All Israel has to add to this agreement would be assurances that Syria would not allow Iran to to transfer goods to Hetzbollah or anyone else through Syria and that Syria will prevent any anti-Israel activity. You then have a deal that Israel has wanted all along.