From Chants to Diplomacy: The Complex Syria-Israel Dynamic

In a tense display that has further strained Middle Eastern relations, Syrian soldiers were filmed chanting anti-Israel slogans during a military parade in Damascus this week. The soldiers, marching before Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, declared “Gaza, Gaza, our rallying cry” and “From your blood, rivers will flow” in what appeared to be a direct threat to Israel. The demonstration prompted Israel’s Minister of Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli to post ominously on social media that “War is inevitable.” Chikli later elaborated on his concerns, comparing the current Syrian regime to ISIS based on reported atrocities in Sweida, stating that “A regime that kills like ISIS, rapes like ISIS, and destroys like ISIS everything that is not itself—it is ISIS, even if it wears a suit and plays basketball.” This inflammatory rhetoric comes at a particularly delicate time, as the Trump administration is actively working to forge a security agreement between Syria and Israel.

Despite the concerning military display, diplomatic efforts continue behind the scenes. Tom Barrack, who serves as both U.S. ambassador to Turkey and special envoy to Syria, offered a notably different perspective at a Jerusalem Post conference in Washington. According to Barrack, Damascus has no interest in aggression toward Israel, and Syria has already joined anti-ISIS coalition efforts—something that would have been “unthinkable” in the recent past. He highlighted that U.S. and Syrian cooperation has already eliminated nine Hezbollah cells and several Islamic State cells in recent weeks. Acknowledging Israel’s post-October 7th trust issues, Barrack suggested that the United States could serve as a peacekeeping force, emphasizing that “verification replaces trust.” He characterized Syria as “the softest play” in the complex regional security landscape, suggesting that both countries have “no alternative path” if they wish to avoid “perpetual military confrontation on every border.”

The diplomatic track appears to have some momentum, with al-Sharaa himself confirming at a conference in Qatar that negotiations are underway with U.S. participation. The Syrian president has outlined specific conditions, including Israeli withdrawal from Syrian territory and a recommitment to the 1974 truce agreement. Israel has justified its control of a 400-square-kilometer demilitarized buffer zone in southern Syria as a preventative measure against militants. Israeli forces have conducted regular operations within and beyond this zone, including a controversial raid last month that resulted in thirteen casualties. These military actions have complicated diplomatic efforts but underscore Israel’s security concerns along its northern border. The U.S. recently removed its $10 million bounty for al-Sharaa’s arrest on terrorism charges, a move that has facilitated his participation in international diplomacy.

When questioned about his past alleged connections to al Qaeda at the Doha Forum, al-Sharaa pushed back on the terrorist label, questioning its definition and application. “What is the definition of terrorism or a terrorist? Saying that I was a terrorist and judging me as a terrorist is politicized,” he stated. Al-Sharaa argued that terrorists should be defined as “those who kill innocent people—children and women—and who use illegitimate means to harm people,” while maintaining that he fought “honorably.” This self-defense comes as the Trump administration considers the dramatic step of lifting sanctions on Syria, potentially paving the way for further normalization. The diplomatic opening with Syria represents a significant shift in U.S. Middle East policy, potentially expanding the Abraham Accords—which normalized relations between Israel and several Arab states—to include Syria, a traditional adversary of Israel.

The situation is further complicated by Iran’s strategic interests in the region, according to Dan Diker, president of the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs. Diker characterized the security situation in Syria as being of “utmost complexity,” noting that while Israeli and Syrian officials engage in “highly intensive talks” under U.S. mediation, “the Iranian regime and its proxies are engaging in armed subversion to prevent any possible agreement between the sides.” He emphasized that “Iran’s Hezbollah proxy and associated cells and groups are doing everything to torpedo a security arrangement” and have reportedly attempted to assassinate al-Sharaa “several times.” These Iranian-backed forces are allegedly mobilizing terror cells in southern Syria near the Israeli border, which Diker suggested has triggered Israel’s ongoing counterterrorism operations in the region, including in Bet Jinn.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has maintained a firm stance on security requirements while leaving the door open for diplomacy. After visiting reserve soldiers wounded in clashes with Syrian militants, Netanyahu stated that Israel remains “determined to defend our communities on our borders” and “to prevent the entrenchment of terrorists.” He specifically outlined Israel’s expectations from Syria: “to establish a demilitarized buffer zone from Damascus to the buffer zone area, including the approaches to Mount Hermon and the summit of Mount Hermon.” While acknowledging the possibility of reaching an agreement “in a good spirit,” Netanyahu emphasized that Israel would “stand by our principles in any case.” This careful balancing act reflects Israel’s post-October 7th security imperatives while recognizing the potential benefits of stabilizing its northern border through diplomacy rather than continued military confrontation. As negotiations continue under U.S. guidance, the coming weeks may prove decisive in determining whether the cycle of hostility can be broken or whether, as Minister Chikli warned, conflict remains inevitable.