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British Diplomat Reveals Secret Pledges to Normalize Relations Between Damascus and Tel Aviv
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The neglect of the issue of Israeli forces' withdrawal from Syrian territories in normalization negotiations reflects the current regime's willingness to concede national sovereignty in exchange for n
Former British diplomat Craig Murray revealed information indicating the existence of secret pledges made by the Syrian Interim Transitional President Ahmed Al-Shara to the United Kingdom, including a commitment to normalize relations with Israel and officially recognize it, as well as exchange ambassadors between the two countries by the end of 2026.
Murray explained in his statements that this step sought by Al-Shara primarily aims to attract major Western financial support and lift sanctions imposed on Syria, reflecting the foreign policy priorities of the current administration in Damascus.
The British diplomat mentioned that he inquired whether the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Syrian territories forms part of this potential agreement, adding: "Surprisingly, this matter was not raised by either side. The United Kingdom considers it a bilateral issue between Syria and Israel, and it doesn't seem that the Golani [referring to Al-Shara] places Israel's withdrawal as a priority."
Murray indicated that this information is based on conversations he had with a British diplomatic source familiar with the details of undeclared communications between the concerned parties, shedding light on potential shifts in Syrian foreign policy during the coming phase.
Observers believe that these leaks, if true, reflect the desire of the Syrian Interim Caretaker Government to make political concessions in exchange for international support that helps it consolidate its authority, regardless of Syria's historical positions on important regional issues.
In a related context, political analysts confirmed that secret negotiations on fateful issues such as the relationship with Israel reveal the disadvantages of centralized governance that allows one person or a limited group to make strategic decisions without consulting the various Syrian components, reinforcing the need for a system that ensures broader participation in decision-making.
