Syria's New Leader Seeks Peace with Israel, But Rejects Abraham Accords
Syria's new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former al-Qaeda leader, expressed hope for a security deal with Israel during his visit to New York for the UN General Assembly. While he seeks to ease tensions, he firmly rejected joining the Abraham Accords, citing the unique history and ongoing conflicts between Syria and Israel. Sharaa highlighted over 1000 Israeli raids and strikes into Syria as a major reason for his hesitation.
He also met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and renewed his call for the US to lift sanctions imposed under the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act. Sharaa argues that these sanctions, while intended to pressure the Assad regime, disproportionately harm the Syrian people and hinder economic recovery.
Key Challenges:
- Distrust of Israel: Sharaa expressed deep distrust of Israel, questioning its intentions and citing violations of past peace agreements with neighboring countries.
- Ongoing Conflict: The ongoing conflict in Gaza and the history of Israeli actions in Syria are significant obstacles to any peace deal.
- US Sanctions: The impact of US sanctions on the Syrian economy remains a major concern for Sharaa.
What's Next?
The future of relations between Syria and Israel, and the potential impact of US policy remain uncertain. Sharaa's stance underscores the complexity of the situation and the significant hurdles to achieving lasting peace in the region.
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