Syrian Opposition Leader is Interested in Opening Diplomatic Channels For Normalization with Israel

BEIRUT, LEBANON (10:10 A.M.) – The leader of the National Salvation Front in Syria (NSF), Fahad Almasri, told The Media Line publication that he is interested in opening diplomatic channels with and possibly normalizing relations with Israel.

Almasri, a former spokesperson for the Free Syrian Army (FSA), told the publication that he has the bravery to open up talks with Israel. “We have the courage and the open political vision. The reason is: the… change that has occurred in Syrian society. [This change] led to the reevaluation of all concepts and values ​​and the fall of slogans.

The France-based opposition leader says it is important to recognize Israel as a regional player and to open up dialogue with them. “We must recognize that Israel is an important regional state, a fact that exists whether recognized by regional and Arab parties or not. Israel is an internationally recognized state and is supported by all the nations of the world,” he told The Media Line.

In regards to the Palestinian cause, he says the situation is at a turning point, with the Palestinian leadership seeking negotiations with Israe.

“After all the destruction that happened in Syria, is the problem of the Syrian people the Palestinian issue, especially since the Palestinians themselves have entered into negotiations with the Israeli state? The Palestinian problem is at another turning point,” he said. “Consequently, the Syrian people paid more than 80 years of their livelihood, security, stability and political life, which was absent as a result of slogans and trafficking in the suffering of the Palestinian people.”

Almasri previously called on Israel to destroy the Hezbollah forces inside of Syria, while applauding their several attacks on the Lebanese group.

“There must be coordination between us and the IDF so that there is movement on the ground for the Syrian [opposition] factions with Israeli-American- British-French air cover to crush the Iranian, Palestinian and Iraqi military presence on the land of Syria. For this we [would] welcome the formation of an Israeli-Syrian committee of coordination and security cooperation which has become necessary at this stage,” he added.

Photo credit: Fahad Almasri Twitter account