An interesting question that is being debated in the Middle East recently is whether Israel and Syria could normalize relations and eventually reach a peace agreement.
Both countries are still in a state of war, Israel makes occasional attacks on Syrian soil and Damascus has a warm relationship with both Iran and the Lebanese-based terrorist group Hezbollah.
The Golan Heights captured by Israel in the 1967 Six Day War are also a matter of controversy and Syria claims to be the most prominent member of the anti-Israel movement.
The regime calls for the return of the Golan to its authority and strongly supports the Palestinian cause, reaffirming the view that Syria is the last Arab country to sign any peace treaty with Israel.
But the events that have unfolded over the last few years and reports are emerging from Damascus, arouse new ideas. President Bashar Assad understands that his continued rule as a result of the civil war could call for the adoption of different policies going forward, and peace with Israel may be one of them.
After 10 years of fighting, the Syrians have a major task ahead, to rebuild the country and restore half of their citizenship that has spread all over the world. The huge cost of meeting such a challenge is clear and damascus, which is in charge of both Russia and Iran, understands that its allies will not be able to fund it. give. Both countries are experiencing economic difficulties themselves.
Assad must realize that his efforts to rebuild his country will fail if he is left without financial support.
Go for criticism about the regime, all other issues can be freely discussed in Syria today. Even the need to re-examine the situation towards Israel.
The historical opposition to its southern neighbor is absent from Syrian media and political communication.
No one is suggesting that the demand for the return of the Golan Heights into the hands of Syria be an option, but there is no urgency in stimulating that conversation with so many urgent problems to deal with, starting by defeating the terrorist in the north of the country. and the need to feed the struggling population.
Iran has given Syria nothing but promises, while Russia – Assad’s only true friend – is also a friend of Israel and recognizes that Syrian-Israeli peace could be out of control. -international bonds imposed on.
Russia also wants to eliminate any Iranian involvement in the Middle East country and earn historic achievement as an Israeli-Arab peacemaker. To achieve that, a shift in relations between Damascus and Jerusalem is essential.
Reports are emerging of talks already taking place between Israeli and Syrian officials. As long as Damascus remains a mother, Assad will not reject the normalization of future relations, although he wants the issue of the Golan Heights to be resolved first and the state of Palestine to be established.
Syria is also thwarting some of Iran’s efforts to engage in the south of the country and turn it into a starting point for attacks on Israel.
From a Syrian perspective there are some conditions that need to be met before any policy shift can be considered.
The United States must recognize the legitimacy of Assad ‘s rule, abolish all American and European sanctions imposed on Syria and provide substantial financial support to rebuild the country.
As for Golan Heights, it seems that both Syria and Israel would choose to leave a final agreement on the issue, which would last and whether any talks between the two countries would last for years.
Assad would be able to reap the benefits of engaging in negotiations without promising to neglect his territorial demands, while Israel would be able to say that it is cracking down on go at most important wall against peace.
If Assad decides to start such a policy change, it would be against Iran, which controls much of its territory. He would also oppose the demands of the American administration under U.S. President Joe Biden, for democracy and human rights for the Syrian people.
Russia’s chances of realizing any talks between Israel and Syria are slim but the temple is there to try, nonetheless.
Oraib Rantawi is a columnist and founder and general director of the Al Quds Center for Political Studies, based in Amman