New Damascus Leadership Calls for Peaceful Relations with Israel

In a surprising development, Maher Marwan, the newly appointed governor of Damascus under the leadership of Abu Mohammad al-Julani, has expressed a desire for peaceful relations with Israel. Representing the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which recently seized control of Syria, Marwan spoke to NPR about the group's efforts to gain international legitimacy as the new rulers of the country.

“Our problem is not with Israel,” Marwan stated, acknowledging Israel's concerns about the new Syrian administration. “We don’t want to meddle in anything that will threaten Israel’s security or any other country’s security.”

The remarks signal a significant departure from Syria's historically hostile stance toward Israel. Marwan also called on the United States to facilitate dialogue and improve relations between the two nations. A U.S. official confirmed to NPR that HTS’s message had been relayed to Israel.

HTS, once deemed a terrorist organization, now seeks to position itself as a legitimate government. This transformation comes in the wake of their rapid 11-day takeover of Syria, during which they ousted the Assad regime. The group appears to be emphasizing diplomacy to bolster their standing on the international stage.

However, skepticism abounds regarding HTS’s intentions, given their prior affiliation with Al-Qaeda. Whether this call for peace represents a genuine shift or a tactical move remains to be seen.

Marwan concluded, “We want peace, and we do not want to be an opponent to Israel or anyone else.”

As the Middle East watches this unexpected overture unfold, the prospect of a redefined relationship between Syria and Israel presents both challenges and opportunities for regional stability.

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