Israeli reluctance to cede territory freezes talks with Damascus – Analyst
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Meir Masri, political analyst and professor of political science at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, told North Press on Thursday that the main reason behind the freezing of negotiations between Syria and Israel is Israel’s unwillingness to withdraw from areas it captured inside Syrian territory following the fall of al-Assad.
Masri said, “I believe Israel is not prepared to withdraw from strategic positions it seized with great difficulty in exchange for promises or assurances from Damascus regarding its security.”
On Monday, the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation reported—citing official sources—that negotiations between Israel and Syria had reached an impasse and were now frozen.
According to Masri, Israel’s key demands include the disarmament of southern Syria and guarantees for the safety of the Druze community in Suwayda.
He added that Damascus, in return, insists that Israel withdraw to the lines specified in the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, in addition to receiving security guarantees.
In late October, an Israeli official stated that negotiations with the Syrian transitional government were ongoing and nearing completion, emphasizing that Israel does not support calls for secession in Syria.
At the time, the official said the emerging agreement between Israel and Damascus resembled the 1974 accord, with minor amendments and a joint Israeli-Syrian-American presence in certain areas, including Mount Hermon in southern Syria.