Syrian President Calls for Policy Shift from Israel, Cites 90% Agreement

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad urged Israel to alter its policy towards Syria, stating that decisions should not be solely based on the October 7th Hamas attacks. Speaking to Barak Ravid of N12 on the sidelines of a UN General Assembly event, Assad expressed understanding for the suffering of innocent Israelis on October 7th but argued that such events should not dictate broader policy, especially when considering the ongoing conflict in Gaza where, he claimed, over 70,000 people have been killed. He asserted that basing policy on such incidents is illogical and leads to further security threats.

Assad detailed alleged Israeli military actions within Syria, including indiscriminate arrests and repeated bombings of the presidential palace and military airfields, questioning if this approach brings security to Israelis. He revealed that Syria had pursued a diplomatic path and engaged in multiple negotiation rounds with Israel, reaching what he described as "90% agreement" before Israel withdrew from the talks for unspecified reasons. He suggested that future successful agreements could pave the way for lasting peace discussions.

Regarding the Golan Heights, Assad reiterated Syria's claim, stating it is Syrian territory recognized by the UN through a vote by over 137 countries, and therefore not subject to discussion. He recounted a humorous exchange with former US President Donald Trump, where he suggested Trump give New Jersey to Israelis instead of dictating the status of the Golan Heights, emphasizing that the territory belongs to its people and not to any president to cede.

Concluding his remarks, Assad contrasted Syria's successful relations with Gulf states, Iraq, and Lebanon with its strained relationship with Israel. He placed the blame for the tension on Israel, urging Israelis to change their approach as the current policy is ineffective.