In a development sparking deep regional concern, Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth has claimed that the United Arab Emirates arranged and hosted a series of clandestine meetings between Israeli figures and representatives of Syria’s new leadership — a move interpreted by many as part of a wider strategy to quietly integrate Syria into the normalisation web.
According to the report, three rounds of informal but direct meetings were held in Abu Dhabi, reportedly involving Syrian figures close to President Ahmed Al-Shara and Israeli academics with intelligence and security backgrounds. The talks allegedly focused on military de-escalation, border security, and economic cooperation — all under the sponsorship of the UAE’s Foreign Ministry and intelligence apparatus, led by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed and Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed.
Behind-the-Scenes Diplomacy: A Step Toward Normalisation?
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The meetings, which reportedly took place at the private residence of a senior Abu Dhabi official, signal a shift from prior indirect negotiations to face-to-face dialogue, framed by the Israeli paper as an attempt to “build trust” between the occupation and Damascus.
The Syrian delegation, said to be composed of individuals authorised by the new Syrian government, reportedly expressed willingness to halt rocket fire and de-escalate military tensions in exchange for Israel ceasing its airstrikes on Syrian territory and granting the regime “time to stabilise its internal affairs.”
In a more controversial turn, the Syrian side is also reported to have stated that Iran has been expelled from Syrian soil and would not be allowed to return — a message clearly designed to reassure Tel Aviv of Damascus’ new political orientation.
Syrian-Israeli Overtures in Europe
The newspaper also alleged that side meetings took place in Europe between Syrian and Israeli delegates during two international conferences. Syrian representatives reportedly displayed what the report called “public warmth” toward Israeli counterparts and voiced interest in collaboration in health, education, and academic training — including sending Syrian students to Israeli institutions.
In return, Israeli officials allegedly emphasised the importance of protecting the Druze population near the border, using this card to justify further security coordination.
Regional Silence and Strategic Calculations
As of now, none of the involved parties — the UAE, Syria, or the Israeli occupation — have issued any official clarification or denial regarding the alleged meetings. However, the report aligns with prior claims by Reuters, which earlier this year reported that the UAE had established a secret communication channel between Tel Aviv and Damascus as part of efforts to stabilise the region and offer the new Syrian regime a pathway to regional reintegration — at a price.
These claims follow a recent statement by Syrian President Ahmed Al-Shara, who, in a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron, admitted to “indirect negotiations” with Israel via regional mediators, aimed at preventing further escalation and military chaos, particularly in the face of Israel’s continued airstrikes across Syrian territory.
Strategic Implications: At What Cost?
If confirmed, these covert engagements between Syria and the Israeli occupation raise significant red flags across the region — particularly within the resistance axis and the broader Muslim world. The absence of any reference to the Golan Heights, the ongoing occupation of Palestinian land, and the daily massacres in Gaza, suggests that these talks — if real — are purely transactional, not principled.
Moreover, presenting the removal of Iranian presence as a bargaining chip indicates a worrying realignment in Syrian policy — one that could further fragment regional resistance and pave the way for a new phase of soft normalisation under Emirati auspices.
Final Thought: Silence is Consent, and the Region Is Watching
While no official recognition or deal has been announced, the growing role of the UAE as a broker of normalisation — even among formerly anti-Israel states — demands urgent scrutiny. Syria, a nation that long stood in opposition to Zionist expansion, must not be used as a pawn in broader Western-Gulf strategies aimed at isolating Iran and sidelining the Palestinian cause.
As Gaza burns and Al-Aqsa remains under siege, any dialogue with the Zionist occupation — whether “informal” or “economic” — must be recognised for what it is: a betrayal of the Ummah, of the martyrs, and of every inch of occupied land.
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