Israel Urges Europe to Reassess Support for Syria Amidst Violent Clashes
Israel’s Foreign Minister, Gideon Saar, calls on Europe to cease legitimizing Syria’s transitional government after hundreds of civilian deaths in recent clashes. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing the violent realities in Syria and criticizes European leaders for engaging with the regime. The reported death toll from recent violence has reached over 1,000, with ongoing concerns about the humanitarian situation and international sanctions.
Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has publicly urged Europe to reconsider its approach towards Syria, following the reported deaths of hundreds of civilians in violent clashes. In an interview with Germany’s Bild newspaper, he emphasized that Europe must not misinterpret the situation and should cease legitimizing the Syrian transitional authorities, stating, “It must wake up. It must stop granting legitimacy to a regime whose first actions, unsurprising given its well-known terrorist background, are these atrocities.”
Violence escalated recently between Syria’s new security forces and loyalists to former President Bashar al-Assad along the Mediterranean coast, leading to mass killings. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that 745 Alawite civilians were killed in the provinces of Latakia and Tartus, alongside 125 security force members and 148 pro-Assad fighters, culminating in an overall death toll of 1,018.
Saar criticized the international community, particularly Europe, for engaging with Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa in recent months, stating that his administration includes jihadists wearing suits. He noted, “This weekend, the masks came off, as men mercilessly massacred their own people.” Sharaa’s group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, is linked to Al-Qaeda and remains classified as a terrorist organization by numerous countries, including the United States. Additionally, he pointed out that Syria’s leaders have been seeking the lifting of Western sanctions.
Recently, the European Union has relaxed some sanctions imposed on Syria’s energy, transport, and banking sectors to facilitate reconstruction efforts. Post-Assad’s ousting, Israel has increased its military presence in the UN-patrolled buffer zone along the Golan Heights, and has also executed multiple airstrikes on Syrian military sites.
In summary, Minister Gideon Saar has called upon Europe to reassess its diplomatic stance towards Syria amidst severe humanitarian crises resulting from ongoing violence, highlighting the risks of legitimizing a regime with a history of terrorism.
In conclusion, Israel’s Foreign Minister urges Europe to reconsider its support for Syria’s transitional authorities in light of the recent surge of violence and civilian casualties. He asserts that the international community’s engagement with Syrian leadership can be seen as enabling terrorism and calls for a more cautious approach to the legitimacy afforded to the Assad regime. The conflict continues to raise serious concerns regarding humanitarian conditions, necessitating vigilant international response.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
