Israeli FM Sa’ar denies Syrian government’s legitimacy, calls regime ‘a gang – not a government’

While there has been a sense of relief both within local communities in Syria, and internationally, following the removal of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar remains unconvinced that the new government is capable of establishing a sustainable framework for the Syrian people.

The issue of Syria and its future is of great concern to Sa'ar, and rightfully so, as Israel shares a border with the vulnerable nation that has recently found itself in a state of transition.

After the collapse of Assad's regime and the dismantling of the Syrian Armed Forces, Sa'ar described the country as a divided state, torn apart by rival factions and extremist ideologies.

“The reality in Syria hasn’t stabilized,” Sa’ar stated. “The regime in Damascus is essentially a gang – not a legitimate government. Other areas, like Idlib, are controlled by Islamist groups with extreme ideologies.”

On his growing list of concerns is the West’s recognition of Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa (also known as Abu Mohammed al-Julani), the leader of the Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group with historic ties to al-Qaeda.

“The international community may understand the reasoning behind entering buffer zones, but understanding does not equate to approval,” Sa'ar maintained.

The days preceding Oct. 7, 2023, have made it seem imperative to Israeli officials to take “proactive measures” according to Sa'ar.

Perhaps one of the most difficult questions for Sa'ar and other Israeli governmental officials to answer is “How long will this take” or “How long will this be the case?”

Concerning Syria, some of the temporary measures Israel has taken have caused the international community to ask similar questions regarding a timeline. Sa'ar can only offer this answer for the time being: “Until we see the situation stabilize and can return to the previous line.”

The foreign minister addressed the issue of Syrian refugees returning to their homeland. He noted that the scale of this task is much larger than merely involving the countries of Turkey and Jordan, and provided a warning that it would also involve Europe, which in turn widens the net of responsibility and the necessity for handling this with a more stable government in Syria.

“In Europe, this issue carries enormous political ramifications. Their goal is clear: to claim the situation is stable, thereby enabling the return of refugees to Syria. This longing drives much of the current process,” he stated.

According to Sa'ar, the threat is much greater than the “gang-controlled government” of Syria because it involves the global agenda of Islam.

“Groups like ISIS have risen and fallen in this region, and the lesson is clear: We cannot allow Islamist extremism to gain a foothold near our borders,” he warned.