Senior Israeli Official: Syria's Leverage Weakened by Sanctions Relief

A senior Israeli diplomatic official revealed that recent sanctions relief granted to Syria has diminished Damascus's motivation to reach security understandings with Israel. This comes as ongoing talks between Israel and Syria, mediated by the US, aim to establish a security arrangement.

Despite a complex history, Jerusalem views Syrian President Bashar al-Assad as a potential dialogue partner, though with caution regarding outcomes. The current discussions follow a turbulent period, including a temporary halt after an Israeli airstrike on the Abu al-Duhur base in northwestern Syria, which was reportedly a response to Syria allowing Turkish forces to deploy there. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Syria ignored repeated Israeli warnings about Turkish military expansion.

The Syrian Foreign Minister, Walid al-Muallem, initially announced a freeze on talks following the strike but later indicated that Damascus remained open to negotiations. He emphasized that a cessation of Israeli attacks and confidence-building measures were crucial for progress, with Syria seeking a security arrangement that would ultimately lead to an Israeli withdrawal from Syrian territory, including the Golan Heights.

Despite the temporary freeze, high-level contacts resumed shortly after, with Mossad chief Roman Gofman meeting Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem in Jordan. These talks, reportedly involving American mediation, aimed to de-escalate tensions. A key focus of these discussions was also the growing Turkish military presence in Syria and the concern that Syria could become a theater for Israeli-Turkish conflict.

The senior official highlighted that the easing of international sanctions, including the US removing Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism and lifting other restrictions, has reduced Syria's incentive to compromise. This has coincided with Syria's gradual reintegration into the global financial system, with Visa and Mastercard resuming international transactions there.