Multiple Israeli news sources reported Thursday that Israel has been involved in secret talks with the new Syrian government about Syria joining the Abraham Accords. One report says that the talks about potential normalization with Israel began in recent days and have been brokered by the UAE, while another says that Qatar has been mediating the talks, which have reportedly been going on for months.
On Wednesday, President Donald Trump met with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and called on him to normalize relations with Israel. The Trump administration emphasized that Syria must also expel armed Palestinian factions and prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State group.
The meeting took place in Riyadh in the first US-Syria summit in over 25 years. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman hosted the talks, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan joining via video.
Trump told reporters that al-Sharaa responded positively to the idea of joining the Abraham Accords.
Israel, while cautious, has not opposed the decision. Though it previously labeled al-Sharaa a terrorist, it now sees potential in reshaping ties and pulling Syria away from Iranian influence.
Israeli officials confirmed indirect talks with the new Syrian leadership. One meeting occurred recently in Azerbaijan, with Israeli and Turkish representatives in attendance.
Recent violence against the Druze minority in Syria has complicated Israel’s Syria strategy, with Druze citizens of Israel pressuring the government to take decisive military action against Syria to protect their coreligionists to the northeast.