Syria's Pragmatic Diplomacy with Israel: Can It Sustain Peace?

Syria's new government, following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime, has adopted a policy of diplomatic engagement with Israel, prioritizing peace over military confrontation. As the country grapples with the aftermath of over a decade of war, officials have made it clear that stability and reconstruction are their top priorities. However, the path to peace is fraught with challenges, particularly as Israel continues to disrupt efforts at a more sustained agreement through repeated attacks on Syrian soil.

Ever since the rebels led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa deposed the al-Assad government in December 2024, Israel has responded by attacking Syria's military infrastructure and moving troops further into southern Syria, beyond the occupied Golan Heights. Despite these provocations, Syrian officials, including President al-Sharaa, have reiterated their commitment to peace and their lack of intent to attack Israel.

Analysts suggest that Syria's pragmatic approach to diplomacy is driven by its desire to rebuild the country without the burden of war. "Syria’s government is intensely pragmatic in that it’s willing to basically sit down and talk to and do deals with people as long as it promotes Syria’s national interest," Rob Geist Pinfold, a lecturer on security studies at King’s College London, told Al Jazeera.

Under the al-Assad presidency, Syria was part of the Iran-driven "axis of resistance," using its territory to transport weapons and financial aid to Tehran's Lebanese allies, Hezbollah. However, the Syrian military has not engaged militarily with Israel since a 1974 disengagement agreement signed under Bashar's father, Hafez al-Assad.

Despite Syria's attempts at peace, Israel has continued to threaten the Syrian government, warning against military troop deployments in southern Syria and even bombing the Syrian Ministry of Defence in Damascus in July 2025. The government has had to navigate a delicate balance, attempting to maintain stability while responding to Israeli aggressions.

Syria has sought regional and international help in dealing with these challenges, gaining the trust of the Trump administration in the US and establishing close ties with Turkiye and numerous Gulf states. Despite continued Israeli aggressions, Syria's efforts at diplomacy have not waned.

Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani has made it clear that the country does not currently view Israel as a trustworthy political partner. "We do not trust Israel currently," he told the Reuters news agency. However, Syria has also made it clear that it views negotiations with Israel as a security necessity.

The Syrian government has outlined three immediate demands: stopping Israeli strikes on Syrian territory, stopping Israeli incursions into Syrian territory, and the arrests of Syrian citizens, as well as forcing Israel to withdraw its troops from the areas it seized after the fall of al-Assad.

Despite the country's exhaustion from years of war, Syrians are not interested in another conflict. "After years of war, Syrians are exhausted and certainly not interested in another war," Bente Scheller, head of Heinrich-Boll-Stiftung’s Middle East and North Africa Division, told Al Jazeera. "However, Israel acting with impunity in Syria creates hard feelings and undermines support for normalization or even peace."

Syria's pragmatic approach to diplomacy with Israel appears to be the least costly option for the country as it rebuilds. The Syrian leadership does not want to open a military front with Israel while it is rebuilding its army, state, and economy. It is also counting on the United States to impose constraints on Israeli behavior.

Recent US-mediated talks between Syria and Israel, which focused on establishing practical mechanisms to halt Israeli attacks, arrests, and targeting operations, as well as reviving negotiations for a lasting security agreement between the two sides, suggest that Syria remains committed to diplomacy.

While Syria's diplomatic approach with Israel may be the only viable option for the time being, the country's ability to sustain peace will depend on Israel's willingness to engage in meaningful negotiations and respect Syria's sovereignty.