Damascus: A less confrontational Israeli government could pave way for security understandings

Damascus believes that the expectation following the upcoming Israeli elections is not a complete change in the rules of the game, but rather the formation of a government less inclined towards escalation and more willing to listen to US mediation, according to a Syrian diplomatic source who spoke to Agence France-Presse.

The source said that the arrival of a centrist or right-wing government not centred around Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could make it less inclined to use escalation for political purposes, noting that the new government could move towards working on gradual security understandings with Syria.

Israel is due to hold Knesset elections on 27 October, the first elections since the 7 October 2023 attack and the wars that followed in Gaza, Lebanon, Iran, and Syria. They also come after the previous Knesset completed its full term, something rare in Israeli political life.

The election comes amid competition between Netanyahu and a number of opposition forces and figures, while the election results will determine the composition of the coalition capable of forming the next government.

Sh-S

ANHA