Syria’s Ahmed al-Sharaa makes historical pivot toward Israel as President Trump lifts sanctions and opens door to peace through Abraham Accords.
Key Takeaways
- Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa has expressed willingness to join the Abraham Accords and normalize relations with Israel, contingent on Israel stopping military operations in Syria.
- The contentious Golan Heights region, recognized as Israeli territory by the Trump administration in 2019, remains a critical negotiation point.
- President Trump has implemented a 180-day waiver on sanctions against Syria to aid its economic recovery and foster regional stability.
- Al-Sharaa is reportedly pushing out Hezbollah and Iranian influences while seeking improved relations with Western nations and Arab countries.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned of potential civil war in Syria, suggesting the need for continued U.S. support.
Syrian Leader’s Historic Openness to Israel
In a dramatic shift in Middle Eastern diplomacy, Syria’s new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa has signaled a willingness to normalize relations with Israel through the Abraham Accords. This potential breakthrough was revealed following meetings between al-Sharaa and U.S. Representatives Cory Mills and Martin Stutzman during their recent unofficial visit to Syria. The diplomatic opening represents a stark departure from decades of hostility between the neighboring nations and could reshape regional politics if realized. Al-Sharaa’s conditions, however, are clear: Israel must cease military operations within Syrian territory and be willing to discuss the future status of the contested Golan Heights region.
“He said, ‘We’re open to not only recognizing Israel, but also to try and join the Abraham Accords, but they must stop bombing within our nation,'” stated by Cory Mills, U.S. Representative.
Israel & Syria discuss Abraham Accords in secret UAE-brokered meeting (Israel's Channel 12):
Israel's Channel 12 reported this evening that Israel has held secret talks with Syrian officials in recent days, which included discussions about the possibility of the new Syrian…
— The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) May 15, 2025
Trump Administration’s Strategic Engagement
President Trump has taken decisive action to facilitate Syria’s potential diplomatic breakthrough by implementing a 180-day waiver on sanctions against the war-torn nation. This strategic move aims to jumpstart Syria’s economic recovery while creating favorable conditions for regional peace efforts. According to reports, a meeting between al-Sharaa and President Trump was coordinated by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, highlighting the multilateral approach to these negotiations. The Trump administration’s previous recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights in 2019 adds complexity to potential negotiations, as this territory remains a key point of contention between the two nations.
“he would be open to the Abraham Accords,” Martin Stutzman, U.S. Representative.
Golan Heights: The Critical Negotiation Point
The status of the Golan Heights remains the most significant obstacle to any potential peace agreement between Syria and Israel. Israel annexed this strategically important territory in 1981 following its capture during the 1967 Six-Day War, and the Trump administration formally recognized Israeli sovereignty over the region in 2019. Syrian officials maintain that sovereignty over the Golan Heights cannot be abandoned, though creative solutions have been proposed. Qutaiba Idlbi, an incoming assistant minister for the Americas in Syria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has suggested the possibility of a long-term lease arrangement that might satisfy both nations’ concerns while allowing normalization to proceed.
“I don’t think the Syrian government would abandon the sovereignty over the Golan Heights,” an incoming assistant minister for the Americas in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Syria.
Challenges and Skepticism
Despite the optimistic diplomatic signals, significant obstacles remain. Al-Sharaa’s past ties to Islamic extremism and Al Qaeda have raised skepticism in U.S. foreign policy circles about his reliability as a peace partner. Additionally, concerns exist over Syria’s plan to delay elections for five years to rebuild the government, potentially concentrating power without democratic checks. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned of a potential civil war in Syria, suggesting that U.S. support will be crucial for maintaining stability. These factors, combined with the complex regional dynamics involving Iran, Hezbollah, Russia, and Gulf states, make this diplomatic opening both promising and precarious.
Al-Sharaa’s efforts to reduce Iranian influence in Syria and push Hezbollah out of Lebanon demonstrate concrete actions that align with U.S. and Israeli interests. However, the path to formal normalization will require sustained diplomatic engagement and flexibility from all parties involved. If successful, Syria would join the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan in normalizing relations with Israel through the Abraham Accords, potentially transforming Middle Eastern geopolitics and creating a more unified front against shared regional threats. President Trump’s strategic engagement in this process underscores his commitment to achieving peace through strength and pragmatic diplomacy.
