Trump disregards Netanyahu's advice; offers Damascus new chance: Is Sharaa exploiting the West?

A senior Israeli official denied that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposed US President Donald Trump's decision to lift sanctions on Syria. He said Netanyahu just demanded caution and not rushing to impose conditions on Damascus, such as a fundamental change in Syria's hostility towards Israel. If the sanctions are to be lifted, it has to be gradual and not blanket.

Netanyahu warns against haste: Lifting sanctions on Syria is a risky move

However, the official didn't hide his disappointment at Trump's decision to lift sanctions and meet with Ahmed al-Sharaa. "The US president made the ruling in the interests of the Gulf states, and especially Saudi Arabia, and in the interests of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. This shows that he is hearing them more than Israel," Israeli daily Maariv quoted the official as having said.

Other sources told the Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth on Friday that Netanyahu had spoken with Trump about the Syrian issue in its entirety during his trip to the United States last month, starting with the expansion of Turkish influence there and Ankara's desire to rebuild the Syrian army, to safeguarding Israel's interests and even the lifting of sanctions.

The sources explained that the current Damascus regime is rooted in the Islamic Jihad movement and has not fundamentally changed. Rather, it has temporarily altered its direction as a means of empowerment. This may persist for a year or two, maybe 10 or 20 years, after which it will return to its original nature, aggressive toward Israel and the West. Sources clarified that this regime is not governing the country properly, and that the country does not appear stable under its governance.

Trump Listens to Turkey and the Gulf: Is Washington Ignoring Israel's Concerns?

It is noteworthy that Netanyahu was summoned to the White House in the first week of April to notify President Trump that he had decided to initiate direct talks with Iran and agreed to raise tariffs on Israeli goods by 17 percent. During their press conference, Netanyahu said he discussed the situation in Syria with the American president, telling him, "We do not want to see Turkey use Syrian territory as a base against us." He added that they also discussed how a confrontation could be avoided.

However, Trump ignored Netanyahu's statements and did not take him seriously. He, instead, responded with astonishing comments, saying, "I have a very good relationship with Erdogan. I love him, and he loves me. I said to Netanyahu, 'If you have a problem with Turkey, I will settle it. I don't think that will be a problem, but you must act rationally to settle any problem.'"

Netanyahu brought up the topic of Syria both times he came to Washington, and in meetings with his representative, Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, in Washington, and on other occasions, the Israeli official said.

The Israelis warned that Sharaa was manipulating the West and discussed the negative repercussions of lifting sanctions on Syria. Trump, however, did not change direction by giving Sharaa a chance to prove if he was serious. He told Netanyahu that he did not consider the new government in Damascus to be hostile to Israel or the West, but that it was sending positive messages.

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ANHA