Netanyahu links engagement with al-Sharaa to demilitarised zone in Syria

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday linked the “future engagement” with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to “cooperation on setting up a demilitarised zone in south-west Syria,” bordering the occupied Golan Heights.

The Syrian government has said that Israel currently plays a “negative role” in the country and continues to violate its territory. However, Damascus has sought a diplomatic response and “has not been provoked.”

In an interview published by the Times of Israel, Netanyahu said: “The future engagement with al-Sharaa will depend on cooperation in establishing a demilitarised zone in south-west Syria.”

He added: “If a demilitarised zone is established in south-west Syria and the Druze community there receives permanent protection, we can move forward in our relations with al-Sharaa.”

Israel has carried out occasional attacks and incursions into Syria under the pretext of “protecting the Druze,” despite the Syrian government stating that the Druze are an integral part of Syrian society and enjoy full rights like any other citizens.

Netanyahu also said: “When I look at al-Sharaa, I will focus on what is actually happening and what is being achieved.” He added that he would judge al-Sharaa based on “what is happening on the ground.”

In an interview with The Washington Post at the end of his visit to Washington two days ago, al-Sharaa was asked whether Syria would agree to demilitarise the area south of Damascus, as requested by Netanyahu.

He replied that “talking about demilitarising an entire area would be difficult,” explaining that “if any kind of chaos occurs, who would be responsible for protecting the area?”

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