Israeli FM: “What Else Needs to Happen Before the International Community Speaks Out?”
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar slams global silence as minority groups in Syria face escalating violence – Eli Cohen reveals normalization talks with Lebanon and Syria under strict conditions
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Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar delivered a sharp statement today regarding the ongoing violence in Syria, calling on the international community to break its silence in the face of repeated atrocities against minority populations.
“What are we witnessing in Syria today?” Sa’ar asked. “We’re seeing a recurring pattern of persecution, pogroms, and even murder of minorities. Sometimes it's the regime’s forces, sometimes it’s jihadist militias that serve as its foundation – and often it’s both.”
Sa’ar cited mass killings targeting the Alawite minority in northwestern Syria, and mocked the Syrian regime’s claim that it would launch an “independent” investigation. “Maybe you’ve heard what the findings were. I certainly haven’t,” he said.
The foreign minister went on to describe continued hostility toward the Kurds in northern Syria, and cited a series of violent attacks against Christian and Druze communities. “Just yesterday, an ancient church in As-Suwayda was burned down by armed militants. A week ago, there was a deadly terrorist attack on another church by ISIS. And in the past 48 hours, we’ve seen horrific images of murdered Druze civilians and public humiliation.”
Referring to previous unrest in the Damascus region two and a half months ago, Sa’ar noted that Israel had acted decisively through both diplomatic and military channels. “Now, what’s happening in Suwayda – everyone has seen the brutal images. So I ask: what else needs to happen before the international community raises its voice? What are they waiting for?”
He reaffirmed Israel’s key interests in Syria. “First, to maintain the status quo in southern Syria near our border and prevent the emergence of threats. Second, to protect the Druze community, with whom we have a strong and historic bond through our Druze citizens in Israel.”
Sa’ar stressed that the Assad regime is illegitimate and undemocratic. “I often hear people in diplomatic meetings talk about ‘transition.’ Let’s be clear – this regime was never democratically elected. It seized power by force, moving from Idlib to Damascus, and imposed an unconstitutional system that was widely rejected.”
He concluded: “We are not interfering beyond our defined interests. But let me be clear – violations of those interests cannot be ignored. If the regime in Damascus fails to course-correct, it will only move further away from its stated goals of sovereignty and economic growth.”
Energy Minister Eli Cohen also addressed the issue earlier today, saying, “The Druze are our allies – it is not a given that Israel would act inside Syria to protect them.”
Cohen revealed that discussions about possible normalization with Lebanon and Syria had come up in recent meetings in Washington and in Israel. “There are several conditions,” he said. “One of them is the establishment of a 50-kilometer buffer zone to prevent Turkey from setting up military bases in Syria.”