Israel’s Missteps in Syria: Zisser Warns Against New Reckless Adventures

Watan-Professor Eyal Zisser, Vice President of Tel Aviv University, stated that Israel has no interest in appearing as an enemy of the new regime in Syria, warning the occupation state against embarking on a new adventure there following the fall of ousted President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

In an article published in Israel Hayom, Zisser wrote that Israel is currently channeling its energy into a “reckless and ill-considered” new venture in Syria, which lacks any strategic or military logic and will harm it in the future. He argued that instead of this miscalculated approach, Israel should focus on eliminating Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

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Zisser pointed out that since President Ahmad Al-Sharaa took power in Syria, not a day has passed without him sending messages of reassurance, and even reconciliation, toward Israel. He noted that Syria is a fragmented country that is not interested in war and is only seeking good neighborly relations with surrounding states.

However, Zisser cautioned that while it is not necessary to trust Al-Sharaa’s words, Israel should carefully monitor his actions, following the Russian proverb, “Trust, but verify,” while ensuring that no “terrorist” entity takes root in the north.

Israel’s Strategic Mistakes in Syria

Despite this, the Tel Aviv University professor acknowledged that Israel has been making mistakes in Syria over the past three months. Firstly, he claimed, Israel seized parts of Syrian territory without any real security necessity, simply because it could.

The second mistake, in his view, was issuing a “meaningless” declaration about establishing a demilitarized zone south of Damascus—an impractical move.

Finally, he criticized Israel’s announcement of its intention to assist the Druze community, despite their apparent lack of interest in such aid. Zisser, an expert in modern Middle Eastern history, explained that the Druze of Syria, like their counterparts in Lebanon and Israel, consider themselves an integral part of their respective states, even as they currently fight against Al-Sharaa and his forces.

The Druze Do Not Intend to Seek Direct Israeli Assistance

Zisser emphasized that the Druze have always considered themselves Syrians and that it is only natural for them to avoid seeking direct assistance from Israel. They recognize that Israeli policies are as “changeable as a feather in the wind,” while their own future remains deeply rooted in the Syrian landscape, and they do not want it tainted by accusations of collaboration with the occupation state.

He warned that Israel is, by its own actions, pushing Syria into Turkey’s embrace, arguing that those who do not want Al-Sharaa in power will ultimately be forced to cooperate with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.