-
Israeli Officer Considers Normalization with Syria Easier than with Lebanon
-
It appears that the Israeli assessment of the regional situation is moving toward the possibility of achieving a diplomatic breakthrough with Syria before Lebanon due to the different demographic comp
Former Israeli military intelligence official Jack Neria stated that establishing diplomatic relations with Syria is considered an easier option compared to Lebanon, given the social and structural complexities in the Lebanese fabric.
Neria's comments came in response to statements by US envoy Steve Whitcoff regarding the strong possibility of establishing formal relations between Israel and both Syria and Lebanon in the near future.
The Israeli official explained that "the composition of the Lebanese people hinders the conclusion of such an agreement, as within each sect there are different positions regarding normalization, with varying proportions of supporters and opponents." He indicated that this sectarian diversity constitutes an obstacle to achieving a comprehensive peace agreement.
Neria recounted details of his meeting with the former Lebanese president, saying: "I personally met with President Amin Gemayel in Paris in 1993 and asked him why he did not sign a peace agreement with Israel. He answered me: 'You should know that according to the constitution, Lebanon has an Arab face. We must turn to the Arab world and not rely on Israel.'"
The former Israeli officer continued, quoting Gemayel: "If Lebanon is not provided with military, economic, and political cover from Israel, there will be no normalization. It's easier to establish normalization with Syria where the majority is Sunni," pointing out that Syria's demographic situation differs from that of Lebanon.
In the context of his conversation, Neria referred to the possibility of "reaching an agreement with al-Shara after a period, if he remains in his position," referring to the temporary transitional Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara and the possibility of achieving progress on the path of relations with Israel.
Steve Whitcoff, the US President's Special Envoy, considered that the position of the temporary transitional Syrian President has shifted from what it was previously, and that the normalization of relations between Lebanon and Syria with Israel has become a realistic possibility, which enhances the chances of building a stable regional system.
The American envoy hinted that organizing relations between Lebanon and Israel, then between Syria and Israel, could form a pivotal element within a broader strategy to consolidate peace in the Middle East region.
