An Israeli analyst with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies has expressed skepticism about the likelihood of Israel and the incoming Syrian government establishing normalized ties.
ISRAEL’S SYRIA STRATEGY
(ILTV)
Speaking to ILTV News, Jonathan Conricus, a former IDF spokesperson, said the Syrian rebels “are just one notch away from full jihadi extremism in the forms of ISIS and Al Qaeda,” making warm ties unlikely—at least in the short term.
He added, “Maybe in the future, after one or two elections, when the Syrian people understand that the only thing that can happen with regards to normalization with Israel is prosperity and peace and stability and options for the future for them, for the future of their children.”
“Then, maybe they will see things in a different way and reach out towards Israel,” Conricus continued. “I think if and when they do, they will find an Israel that is willing, interested, and capable in building those bridges of peace, which are mutually beneficial, and it will promote stability in the region.”