‘We are afraid of Israel’: Syrian & Lebanese presidents call for end of ‘Israeli aggression’ before security pacts

Against the backdrop of ongoing efforts to reach security agreements between Israel and its northern neighbors, the leaders of Syria and Lebanon insisted that Israel must take the first step before any pacts can be reached.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa spoke on Tuesday ahead of his historic speech at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York – the first by a Syrian president since 1967. While noting several problematic actions by Israel, he emphasized that a security arrangement remains essential for regional stability.

“We are not the ones causing problems for Israel,” al-Sharaa said at a conference hosted by the Middle East Institute. “We are afraid of Israel. We are concerned – not the other way around.”

“There are many dangers connected to the fact that Israel is stalling negotiations and continues to violate our airspace and penetrate our territory.”

At another conference on Tuesday, Sharaa said the difference between Syria and the countries that signed the Abraham Accords five years ago is that Syria has “experienced more than a thousand Israeli raids, strikes, and incursions from the Golan Heights area, and many have been killed. There is also tremendous anger over what is happening in Gaza, and of course, that affects our stance toward Israel.”

He repeated his statement from several days ago that talks between Israel and Syria “have reached advanced stages,” while demanding that Israel "withdraw from Syrian territory. Security concerns can be addressed through negotiation.”

At the Middle East Institute, he said a successful arrangement between Israel and Syria “would pave the way for other agreements that will help spread peace in the region,” reiterating his demand that “Israel must return to the status quo as of December 8, 2024,” which is the date that Sharaa’s rebel alliance toppled the Assad regime.

Since then, Israel has occupied a buffer zone on Syrian territory and conducted hundreds of air strikes to destroy weapons and equipment, as well as some strikes against targets belonging to Sharaa’s regime when his forces joined the fighting against the Druze in southern Syria earlier this year.

The interim Syrian president repeated his position: “We have said that we will not be a threat to anyone. Since the liberation of Damascus, one million people have returned to Syria, and Captagon exports have dropped by 90%. It is in no one’s interest for Syria to return to its previous state. Syria wants to maintain equal distance from everyone.”

Sharaa added: “Any division of Syria will harm neighboring countries and undermine regional stability. The mistakes in al-Suwayda were made by all sides, and our choice is reconciliation. Washington can help integrate the Kurds into the Syrian forces. The security of neighboring countries stems from Syria’s stability. Force alone will not bring peace to Israel.”

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun struck a similar tone, even though no advanced talks on a security arrangement with Israel are underway. His government, under U.S. and Saudi pressure, is working to begin the process of disarming the Hezbollah terrorist organization.

Addressing the UNGA, Aoun also called for Israel to end its “aggression” and to withdraw from five positions it continued to hold in southern Lebanon since the end of the fighting against Hezbollah last year.

Israel has frequently been striking Hezbollah targets across Lebanon since the end of the war.

Aoun also demanded the “release of the Lebanese hostages,” most of whom are prisoners of war believed to be Hezbollah members captured by Israel during the fighting.

Along with the withdrawal, the hostages’ release is among the conditions set by the terror group for considering the government’s demand to disarm –a demand it has essentially rejected.

Before his speech, Aoun stated, “The Lebanese Army is carrying out its duties south of the Litani River and will complete its deployment once Israel withdraws from the occupied territories. The plan for disarming Hezbollah has been submitted for implementation, but the continued Israeli attacks are preventing its completion.”