New Syrian government seeks to mend ties with Israel, urges US to mediate
"We have no fear of Israel, and our problem is not with Israel," Marwan stated. "We don't want to meddle in anything that threatens Israel's security or any other country's security."
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — Maher Marwan, the newly appointed governor of Damascus and a key appointee of Commander-in-Chief Ahmed al-Sharaa, articulated the administration's position during an interview with NPR's Hadeel al-Shalchi. Addressing recent Israeli strikes on Syrian military targets and the seizure of parts of the Golan Heights, Marwan acknowledged Israel's actions but downplayed tensions.
"Israel may have felt fear, so it advanced a little, bombed a little, etc.," Marwan said, describing the strikes as a "natural" reaction. However, he emphasized that Syria does not view Israel as a threat.
"We have no fear of Israel, and our problem is not with Israel," Marwan stated. "We don't want to meddle in anything that threatens Israel's security or any other country's security."
Notably absent from Marwan's remarks were references to Palestinians or the ongoing conflict in Gaza, aligning with Sharaa's previous declarations of non-confrontation with Israel. Marwan went further, calling on the United States to play a role in fostering dialogue between Syria and Israel.
"There exists a people who want coexistence. They want peace. They don't want disputes," he said, underscoring a desire for reconciliation.
Marwan's comments reflect Syria's broader push for stability and international recognition under the new administration, positioning diplomacy as a cornerstone of its foreign policy.
