Speaking at the Concordia Summit, President al-Sharaa said the future of Syrian-Israeli engagement depends on Israel’s willingness to act.
“The ball is in Israel’s and the international community’s court to determine the negotiating tracks they want to pursue,” al-Sharaa said. “What does Israel want? Does it have security concerns or expansionist ambitions?” President al-Sharaa questioned during a talk where he was joined by former CIA Director David Petraeus in New York on Monday.
The President noted that discussions are underway over a security arrangement based on the 1974 disengagement agreement.
“We have reached advanced stages. I hope it will culminate in an agreement that safeguards Syria’s sovereignty and addresses the security concerns that existed in the past,” al-Sharaa said.
Al-Sharaa contrasted Syria’s position with that of countries that have normalized ties with Israel.
“There is a big difference between Syria and the countries that signed normalization agreements. Israel is still occupying (Syrian) land, while the countries that joined the Abraham Accord had no occupied territory,” he added.
The President accused Israel of carrying out “a thousand airstrikes, destroying many Syrian military and civilian institutions, and more than 400 ground incursions, killing and arresting many people.”
“They bombed the presidential palace twice, which is considered an act of war, yet Syria chose de-escalation. Syria wants to avoid any confrontation, and this is a point that others should respect,” al-Sharaa added, stressing that Syria remains focused on reconstruction rather than war.
The President noted that Damascus is ready to move forward under clear conditions. “We have steps for engagement with Israel. The first is the 1974 security agreement, under which Israel must withdraw to the areas it held then. If Israel has security concerns, they can be discussed and resolved.”
President Ahmad al-Sharaa arrived in New York City on Sunday to begin a historic visit centered on Syria’s return to the global diplomatic stage.
The centerpiece of the visit will be President al-Sharaa’s address to the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, the first speech by a Syrian president before the UNGA in nearly six decades. His participation marks a major diplomatic milestone for Syria, signaling a new phase of international engagement following years of diplomatic isolation.
