The end of 2024 delivered a surprising turn of events in the 13-year-long war in Syria. Bashar al-Assad’s regime collapsed spectacularly when faced with a limited operation by rebel forces.Amid the turmoil, Israel expanded its occupation of Syrian land in the south of the country, expelling hundreds of Syrians from their homes. It also launched a devastating campaign of aerial bombardment, wiping out the Syrian air force and military capabilities. Some of the bombardment was so massive that it registered as minor earthquakes. Dozens of people have been killed as a result of these strikes.
Israeli soldiers have also repeatedly shot at civilians protesting the occupation. These people come from communities that have long resisted Israel’s supposed archenemies, the al-Assad regime and Iran. These developments are yet further proof that the Israeli claims about fighting only “the axis of resistance” and seeking friendship with the people of the region are utterly vacuous.
Israel has clearly chosen to begin relations with the new government of its neighbour with war. It has positioned itself as the biggest spoiler of efforts to stabilise Syria and establish legitimate, democratic governance. Advertisement
It is important to remember that Israel was quite comfortable with a prominent member of the “axis of resistance”, the al-Assad regime. For decades, Syrian President Hafez al-Assad made su …
