(Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs) Dr. Dan Diker and Issam Zeitoun - Hayat Tahrir a-Shams (HTS) leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, today known as Ahmad al-Sharaa, has taken pains to Westernize his image. Yet his intentions are unclear. He and Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu have stated they are not interested in direct conflict. However, he has recently met with fellow Islamists from Turkey and Egypt. Jolani has sought UN intervention and censure of Israel's move into Syria's Mount Hermon territory. He declared that "Israel's excuses for entering Syria no longer exist. After the Iranians' departure, no more justifications exist for any foreign intervention in Syria." Israel has entered the buffer zone to prevent hostile forces from infiltrating areas near the Israel-Syria border. Prime Minister Netanyahu insisted that Israeli decisions are tied to "the emerging reality on the ground." Dr. Dan Diker is President of the Jerusalem Center. Issam Zeitoun is a Syrian German national and the founder of the Syrian Peace Initiative, which seeks to achieve peace between Syria and Israel.
2024-12-31 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive