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Source: https://www.israelhayom.com/2026/07/27/the-syria-deal-an-opportunity-israel-cannot-afford-to-trust/
The Syria Deal: An Opportunity Israel Cannot Afford to Trust
(Israel Hayom) Dr. Carmit Valensi - Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa's statement that Damascus is working toward a security agreement with Israel deserves serious scrutiny. While this could represent a strategic opportunity, opportunity must not be confused with certainty. The Syrian regime remains fragile, its control over the country is partial, and figures with jihadist backgrounds have been incorporated into state institutions. It would therefore be a mistake to portray al-Sharaa as a man of peace who has undergone a complete transformation or reject all dialogue on the grounds that it must necessarily be a trap. The right question is not merely whether al-Sharaa is a partner, but whether an arrangement can be designed that will protect Israel even if his intentions change or if his government is not strong enough to enforce its commitments. Renewed dialogue with Damascus should therefore not be based on trust in al-Sharaa or his intentions. It should rest on an agreement that reduces risks and formally safeguards Israel's essential security interests from the outset. Effective security arrangements and the demilitarization of southwestern Syria must be established. The area must be free of heavy weapons, strategic systems, armed militias and any foreign military presence that threatens Israel. The Druze issue must be included among Israel's demands. These should include guarantees of security and political representation, as well as an end to severe sectarian violence. In the Middle East, a good agreement is measured not only by the intentions expressed on the day it is signed, but by its ability to withstand violations the next day. The writer is head of the Syria research field at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS).