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The Israeli newspaper Haaretz published an analysis that questions the possibilities of the White House seeking to conclude a “normalization” agreement between the Syrian regime and Israel, taking into account an alleged “dissolution” in the position of the Arab League and the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council towards Assad.
The analysis of the newspaper “Haaretz”, which is very widespread in Israel, said that “the presentation of the Omani ambassador of his credentials to the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad, may be an indication that” the position of the Arab League may soften “towards Damascus.
Oman’s new ambassador, Turki bin Mahmoud, is the first ambassador from a Gulf state to take office in Damascus since Syria was removed from the Arab League in November 2011.
However, the Secretary General of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, recently said that “Syria’s return to the League is not on the table at the moment.”
Haaretz’s analysis referred to reports by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi that he was preparing to “send weapons” to Syria.
Reports published in Arab newspapers indicated that Egypt wants to support Syria in forming a front against Turkey, which is militarily interfering in Syria, Libya and the Mediterranean in a way that threatens Egyptian interests.
Haaretz’s analysis said the UAE “broke” the diplomatic siege imposed on Syria two years ago, when it opened an embassy in Damascus, and Bahrain did the same.
The two countries are currently establishing formal relations with Israel and have begun to formulate a policy of full commercial and political cooperation.
The newspaper also referred to a report published by the American Wall Street Journal, which indicated that Trump sent a letter to Assad last March, to negotiate the release of two American citizens, Austin Tate, who disappeared in Syria in 2012, and the glory of Kim Almaz, disappeared near a checkpoint for the Syrian regime in 2017.
The Assad regime reportedly demanded the lifting of sanctions on Syria and the withdrawal of American soldiers in exchange for the release of the two citizens. But US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo confirmed that Washington would not change its position on the Assad regime to free two hostages.
According to Haaretz, this news generated speculation and evaluations about Trump’s stance towards Syria, and whether he was “in the process of normalization with Israel in exchange for lifting the sanctions.”
The recently announced normalization of Sudan with Israel and the removal of Sudan from the US terror list may be an additional reason to consider a similar deal that could take place in Syria.
But Assad apparently denied any tendency to normalize with Israel and promised a similar decision to renounce the Golan Heights, which is considered impossible for Israel at this time, according to Haaretz, and Trump himself recognized Israeli sovereignty over that region. .
