Joulani and Netanyahu Meet in Washington: Will Normalization Reach Syria?
Mehr News Agency,International Desk: Amid intensive talks between Ron Dermer,Israel’s Minister of Strategic Affairs,and Assad Sheibbani,Syria’s Foreign Minister,in Paris,the Hebrew newspaper Maariv reported that Donald Trump aims to organize a meeting between Benjamin Netanyahu and Abu Muhammad al-Julani in Washington ahead of the UN General Assembly this September.
Two months ago, when Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu traveled to Washington, some Western media speculated that he might officially bring Syria into the Abraham Accords alongside a staged celebration following the war with iran. However, this did not materialize. Apparently, Israel was unwilling to show flexibility on two key issues: sovereignty over the Golan Heights and guarantees against overthrowing syria’s new political regime. At that critical moment, attacks struck Syria’s Ministry of defense and Presidential Palace. Now, following intense negotiations between Israeli and Syrian officials in Baku and Paris, it truly seems Syria is closer then ever to joining the Abraham Accords and becoming one of Israel’s security partners in the Arab East region.
What is happening in Paris?
On Tuesday, August 19th, with mediation by Tom Barrett-the U.S. Special Envoy for Syrian Affairs-Syrian Foreign Minister Assad Sheibbani met with ron Dermer in Paris. The session focused on security arrangements along the border between Syria and Israeli-occupied territories.Official Syrian news agency SANA confirmed this meeting and its agreements. syrian state television reported that Hussein Salameh-the head of Syrian intelligence-was also present at the talks. It was agreed that Suwayda province will remain an inseparable part of Syria.
According to Axios, these discussions centered on establishing a humanitarian corridor from Israeli-occupied areas to Suwayda-a preliminary segment of what is known as David’s corridor. Importantly, meetings between Syrian regime officials and Israeli representatives have taken place since their rise to power but are now being acknowledged openly. The agreement stipulates that after creating this humanitarian corridor from occupied lands to Suwayda: U.S. and Israeli forces will provide aerial protection; UNIFIL will safeguard land convoys delivering aid; while Syria assumes responsibility for securing the corridor itself-not directly protecting aid convoys.
The completion of an unfinished path
Political efforts to integrate Al-Julani into normalization tracks have been underway for months. On April 18th 2025 Abu Muhammad al-Julani met with Republican Congressman Cory Mills and Marilyn stotzman discussing bilateral matters and also regional and international issues.additionally ,following these talks American government representatives planned briefing then-National Security Advisor Mike Waltz about negotiations while delivering al-Julani’s letter intended for Trump.Mills told Bloomberg news agency that two central topics during sessions were lifting Caesar Act sanctions against Syria along with normalization with Israel.Following these discussions-and Saudi mediation-a basis formed for an eventual encounter between Julani&Trump happening later inside Saudi Arabia; culminating thereafter,in cancellation/removal mechanism dealing precisely those same sanctions .
Latter July 2025 witnessed trump officially signing off repeal provisions undoing sanctions imposed upon Damascus.In response,the U.S.Treasury Department recently issued final regulatory guidelines concerning lifted measures directed at syria.Member office known formally As Office Of Foreign Asset Control(OFAC) stated ;”owing rescindment national emergency enabling such bylaws plus us policy evolution toward syria ,constitutionally removes related sanction ordinances existing federal legal corpus.”
The Lebanese media outlet Al-Akhbar outlined Damascus’ prerequisites regulating diplomatic ties normalization towards Tel Aviv including:
•Recognition by Israel of Abu Muhammad al-Julani
•Cessation Israel attacks onto Syrian soil
•New security arrangements in southern syria
•U.S.support peace pact accommodating Tel Aviv
Conversely,the Israelis declared they won’t fully withdrawfrom syrian territory.They advocate negotiating anew Camp David accord vis-à-vis arranging tripartite demilitarized zones positioned at common border:
Zone “A” – ISRAELI MILITARY presence remains aiming secure assurance,
Zone “B” – inhabited via local rather than syrian army,
Zone “C”-syria military permitted entry only equipped light gear.
Additionally ,Tel Aviv pushes towards damascus formal recognition regarding israeli sovereignty over Golan Heights.It remains unclear whether Julani consents.Forensic experts indicate Israelis concurrently pursue alternative strategies encompassing potential silent official recognition acknowledging partial syrian claim over golan then leasing their rights out (lasting ninenty-nine years) backed either washington or tel aviv.Numerous conjectures predict american greenlight may induce damascus forfeiting Golans replacing it annexing Lebanon’s Tripoli province instead.
taken together
A possible summit or agreement involving Abu Muhammad al-Julani & Benjamin Netanyahu within Washington would mark dramatic geo-political shifts across Eastern Mediterranean.It would significantlytie israel-syria security interests closely;seeding future developments suchas realization david corridor or military operations extending north iraq south lebanon.
Large parts within greater israel vision anticipate expansive portions geographically belonging traditionally syria falling under israeli occupation.This scenario gained discourse importance once netanyahu revealed spiritual-ancient mission dedicated realizing ‘Greater israel’ during interview aired through i24 network.Unquestionably full manifestation near-term appears unrealistic,but israel steadily undermining arab national sovereignties transforming regional terrain into fresh arenas showcasing Tel Aviv ambitions.
