Syrian official hints at normalisation with Israel

A Syrian official has hinted at possible normalisation with Israel during an interview with Israeli broadcaster Kan News, Middle East Eye reported on May 15th.

Ali al-Rifai, head of public relations at Syria’s information ministry, responded to a question about joining the Abraham Accords. The Accords, launched in 2020 under US President Donald Trump, led several Arab nations to recognise Israel.

“Peace with everyone, without exception,” Rifai stated. He highlighted Syria’s desire to avoid renewed conflict, especially after emerging from 13 years of civil war. “Syria strives to establish peace in the region. As a nation, we genuinely want peace. Syria does not want war. We want peace with everyone,” he added.

However, Rifai also made Syria’s conditions clear. He insisted, “we don’t want any party to attack Syrian land.” He continued, “in other words, Israeli forces must withdraw from the areas they recently seized.”

Trump recently lifted sanctions on Syria, prompting a historic meeting in Riyadh between him and Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman hosted the meeting. The encounter signalled Syria’s most serious engagement with the West since Bashar al-Assad’s fall in 2024.

Trump used the opportunity to urge Syria to join the Abraham Accords. He framed this as part of a broader US strategy to reshape Middle Eastern diplomacy.

Despite pressure, Syria has officially rejected normalisation with Israel. Officials cite Israel’s occupation of the Golan Heights and repeated strikes inside Syria. Nevertheless, Sharaa revealed indirect deconfliction talks with Israel during a press conference in Paris.

Meanwhile, Sharaa’s transitional government has begun distancing itself from Palestinian armed factions. Syrian authorities recently detained two senior members of Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The government has declared that such groups will no longer operate militarily within Syria.

Middle East Eye, The Guardian