For the first time, Syrians are vocally advocating for peace with Israel. In a conversation with Fox News Digital, Damascus-based journalist Furat Alali stated, “We want a future without wars. We want to live. People are not afraid to speak up anymore.”
Her words signify a major shift in Syria’s political climate, as more Syrians start to openly talk about the potential for peace with Israel. This development unfolds as Syria and Israel enter direct discussions, as revealed by Reuters on Tuesday, marking a significant break from the long-standing enmity between the nations.
According to a Reuters report, Israel and Syria have recently engaged in direct dialogues centered on security concerns along their mutual border. These discussions mark a pivotal advancement in relations between the two countries, which have been rivals for many years.
An elderly Syrian man explained to Jusoor, “We’ve spent 40-50 years preaching Arabism and liberating Palestine, and what do we have to show for it? Nothing. It’s time for peace.”
The shift in Syria’s stance on Israel is significant, especially given the historical enmity between the two nations. For decades, Syria and Israel have been locked in conflict, with the status of the Golan Heights remaining a key point of contention since its capture by Israel during the 1967 war. Syria’s involvement in the Axis of Resistance, aligning with Iran and Hezbollah against Israel, has been a cornerstone of its foreign policy.
However, the recent emergence of interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa has raised new possibilities, as well as concerns.
Furat Ali said, “I was one of the journalists who extensively covered the violations of Jabhat al-Nusra before the fall of the Assad regime, the group Al-Jolani emerged from (using his previous name), which was part of al-Qaeda. I know exactly what they did. So, when I first heard that Al-Jolani was taking over Aleppo and challenging Assad, I was scared.”
The Syrian army sends reinforcements, including tanks, armored vehicles and rocket launchers, to Latakia and Tartus as search operations against the ousted regime forces expand following an attack on security forces in Latakia province of Syria on March 7, 2025. (Izettin Kasim/Anadolu via Getty Images)
“But as time went on,” she added, “when he rebranded himself as Ahmed al-Sharaa and promised a new direction, I saw he was smart. He managed to convince the West to lift sanctions and engage with him, bringing back international recognition for Syria. While we remain skeptical and cautious, what we’re seeing from Sharaa domestically is so far being accepted.”
Joseph Braude, founder and president of the Center for Peace Communications, highlighted the significance of the shift in public opinion within Syria. He noted, “People in Syria and Lebanon often associate the Palestinian issue with dictators who exploited it to justify corruption and brutality. There is a growing rejection of pro-Palestinian militancy, as many people now desire to turn the page and focus on new partnerships aimed at developing their own countries.
“We believe that it has become a majority view in Syria that if peace with Israel brings economic development and improvements, then it’s worth pursuing.”
Syrians gather at Umayyad Square to celebrate the collapse of 61 years of Baath Party rule in Damascus, Syria on December 9, 2024. (Murat Sengul/Anadolu via Getty Images)
He also pointed out that in countries dominated by Iran and its militias, ordinary people have the clearest understanding of the harm these groups cause. “They are among the most eager for a different future, increasingly calling for peace,” Braude added.
As one man interviewed by Jusoor News put it: “We’ve suffered years of oppression and war. It’s time for reconstruction. We need peace with everyone,” another Syrian added’ “I support normalization a million percent! If normalization with Israel, or America or whoever can bring us comfort, then I’m on board. We just want peace!”
