In a region already grappling with the devastation of war and economic hardship, the possibility of Syria moving towards a normalisation deal with Israel has sparked fresh fears among Syrians who worry that such a step could plunge their country back into conflict and instability. With the backdrop of Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza and its expanding diplomatic ambitions, Syrians fear their fragile security could be further undermined if the new rulers in Damascus engage in normalisation talks with Tel Aviv without addressing long-standing regional grievances, including the Palestinian cause.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar recently stated that his government is actively seeking to expand the Abraham Accords, eyeing Syria and Lebanon as potential candidates for diplomatic ties despite the ongoing war in Gaza. “Israel is interested in expanding the Abraham Accords circle of peace and normalisation,” Saar said, underlining Israel’s intent to secure its strategic interests while pursuing broader regional agreements.
His comments were echoed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who noted that the country’s recent confrontation with Iran had paved the way for expanding peace deals. The remarks came amid speculation that the United States, under former President Donald Trump’s envoys, has been facilitating quiet conversations between Syria and Israel aimed at restoring calm along their contested border.
Public Discontent and Warnings of Unrest
The idea of normalisation has triggered concerns among Syrians, who are still reeling from years of war and economic collapse. Alaa Ibrahim al-Hajji, an IT engineer in Damascus, expressed his frustration over the recent statements from Israeli officials, warning that any move towards normalisation could provoke widespread public anger and threaten the government’s legitimacy. “I don’t want Syria to be dragged into another war after all the destruction we’ve endured,” al-Hajji said.
These sentiments were echoed by Syrian writer Hassan Nifi, who noted that a potential normalisation deal would be deeply unpopular among Syrians, particularly against the backdrop of Israel’s war in Gaza. “Public reaction would be overwhelmingly negative, especially with what’s happening in Gaza,” Nifi stated. “Everyone knows this deal would be entirely in Israel’s favour.”
Reports in Israeli media have indicated that former US President Trump has floated the possibility of offering Syria a normalisation agreement with Israel as an incentive for Tel Aviv to agree to a ceasefire in Gaza. However, many Syrians view this as a strategic ploy that could undermine Syria’s sovereignty while serving Israel’s broader security interests.
Israel’s Strategy and Regional Implications
Over the years, Israeli leaders have lobbied the United States to maintain Syria’s weakened and decentralised state, viewing it as a way to limit security threats along its northern border. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich earlier stated that the war on Gaza would only end when Palestinians were forcibly displaced, and Syria was further fragmented. Additionally, Israel has repeatedly launched airstrikes in Syria, targeting sites it claims are used by Iranian-backed forces and groups aligned with the Syrian government.
According to Nifi, Israel’s broader strategy is to dismantle Syria’s military capabilities to prevent it from defending itself while exploiting the country’s fragile state to extract political concessions, with normalisation being the ultimate goal.
Meanwhile, reports have highlighted how Israel has leveraged the plight of the Druze minority in Syria, further complicating the dynamics of its interventions. “Israel’s real goal is to dismantle Syria’s military infrastructure so it can’t defend itself,” Nifi added.
However, despite Israel’s ambitions, experts believe that the road to a formal normalisation agreement between the two countries remains complex and fraught with challenges.
Wael Alwan, a researcher at the Jusoor Center for Studies, emphasised that the fundamental issues between Israel and Syria remain unresolved. He noted that Israel’s occupation of parts of southern Syria and its ongoing military interventions undermine Syria’s sovereignty, making normalisation unlikely in the near term.
“There are still deep-rooted issues between the two sides,” Alwan explained. “Israel maintains a hardline stance toward Syria’s government, continues to occupy large parts of southern Syria, and wants to keep intervening militarily to serve its own goals.”
Alwan further noted that unless Israel comes to the negotiating table with a commitment to address the Palestinian issue and regional security concerns while securing broader Arab consensus, Syria is unlikely to move forward with formal recognition.
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has also reiterated that the kingdom would not normalise ties with Israel unless there is a clear and actionable pathway towards establishing a Palestinian state, a position that aligns with broader Arab sentiments.
The Gaza Factor and Broader Regional Dynamics
The situation in Gaza remains a significant factor influencing regional attitudes towards Israel, and any discussions of normalisation with Syria are deeply tied to Israel’s conduct in the occupied territories. With Gaza enduring a prolonged blockade and repeated military assaults, any movement towards normalisation without addressing the plight of Palestinians risks sparking unrest across the Arab world.
In Syria, a country with a history of resistance narratives tied to the Palestinian struggle, the public is particularly sensitive to any moves that may be perceived as compromising on these principles for political gain. The Gaza war has only intensified these sentiments, with many Syrians viewing Israel’s attempts at normalisation as a way to legitimise its actions in the region while undermining the aspirations of Palestinians.
While diplomatic channels may continue to explore possibilities, the political, social, and emotional realities on the ground make a formal normalisation deal between Syria and Israel a distant prospect, barring significant changes in regional dynamics and Israel’s policies toward Palestine.
As discussions continue in diplomatic circles, the concerns and fears of ordinary Syrians remain central to the debate over whether a path towards peace and normalisation with Israel is possible or whether it risks opening another chapter of instability and conflict in a region already scarred by decades of turmoil.
