The Syrian public opinion on Israel has noticeably shifted since early April, reflected in growing public mobilization supported by media figures close to the ruling authorities in Damascus. The movement became particularly visible on Friday and coincided with an attack on the UAE embassy in the Syrian capital.
The immediate trigger was Israel’s approval of a law allowing the execution of Palestinian prisoners, which sparked widespread regional and international condemnation. However, the deeper cause lies in a broader shift in Syrian public sentiment toward Israel, driven largely by ongoing Israeli actions against communities near the occupied Golan Heights.
Since the outbreak of the 2011 uprising and the involvement of Hezbollah and Iranian-backed militias alongside the Assad regime, Syrian perceptions of the Palestinian issue and Israel have evolved significantly. Many Syrians began associating support for Palestine with political exploitation by pro-regime factions, while Iran increasingly emerged as a primary adversary in public perception, especially amid worsening economic conditions during the final years of Assad’s rule.
After the fall of the Assad regime, the new leadership in Damascus adopted a policy of openness toward dialogue with Israel. This approach initially faced little resistance among Syrians, with many favoring avoidance of direct military confrontation, even during escalations such as the events in Sweida last summer.
Until recently, anti-Israel protests in Syria remained limited and largely unnoticed. However, recent weeks have seen a shift. A report by a US-based risk intelligence firm highlighted an unprecedented overlap between Israeli military activity and popular protests, noting that demonstrations have moved from symbolic urban expressions to actions closer to border friction zones.
The report described Israel’s strategy as one focused on managing threats rather than eliminating them, aiming to prevent the consolidation of hostile forces without engaging in full-scale confrontation. It warned that this approach sustains underlying tensions and increases the risk of miscalculation or uncontrolled escalation.
Recent Israeli actions in southern Syria, including arrests, disruption of daily life, and direct violence, have heightened pressure on local populations. This helps explain what appears to be tacit approval from Syrian authorities for the protests. The government seems to be balancing two objectives: allowing public expression of frustration and signaling externally the consequences of continued Israeli actions.
Within this context, the attack on the UAE embassy occurred. A segment of Syrian public opinion has long associated the UAE with Israeli interests and views it as aligned against current authorities in Damascus. However, the incident appears to offer little benefit to the Syrian government and may undermine its diplomatic efforts to improve regional relations.
Some analysts suggest that factions within the fragmented political structure may have exploited the protest environment to target the UAE, possibly linked to the detention of a former armed group leader currently held there under unclear circumstances.
More broadly, rising living costs and economic pressure over recent months have intensified public frustration. With limited foreign investment and ongoing regional conflict, authorities may be seeking outlets to ease internal pressure, including allowing greater focus on Israeli actions in southern Syria.
This combination of factors creates a volatile environment. Israeli escalation increases public anger, while economic hardship fuels dissatisfaction, making it increasingly difficult to contain tensions. The warning of potential miscalculations or unintended escalation appears increasingly relevant.