03.08.2026 17:25
The Israeli press wrote that the greatest power behind Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa's rise on the international stage is Turkey and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The analysis suggested that the Ankara-Damascus rapprochement poses a serious risk for Israel and that Tel Aviv could face international pressure over the Golan Heights.
Ahmed al-Sharaa, who was declared President of Syria following the fall of the Assad regime in late 2024, remains a fixture on the Israeli press agenda. A notable analysis published in Israel suggested that the biggest support behind al-Sharaa's rise on the international stage is Türkiye and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
"ACTS AS IF HE HAS TAKEN OFF HIS MILITARY UNIFORM"
In the news report featured in the Star newspaper, it was noted that al-Sharaa was a fighter in the past, and it was stated that today he presents a different image by wearing suits. Attention was drawn to al-Sharaa's meetings with US President Donald Trump at the White House, and in Damascus with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and French President Emmanuel Macron.
COMPARED TO YASER ARAFAT
The Israeli press claimed that al-Sharaa, much like the former Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, is concealing his true plans. The analysis recalled that Arafat strengthened Palestinian national consciousness by bringing military forces together against Israel, and argued that al-Sharaa also uses the right rhetoric when addressing Western leaders and has consistently built a profile of a moderate statesman.
The report also stated that it is a remarkable achievement for Syria under al-Sharaa's leadership to have secured the removal of a significant portion of international sanctions without compromising the country's fundamental principles and territorial integrity.
"AL-SHARAA DERIVES HIS POWER FROM ERDOĞAN"
In the most striking section of the analysis, it was stated that the real power behind Syria's diplomatic success is Türkiye. It was noted that al-Sharaa has made significant progress thanks to the support of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and it was claimed that Erdoğan's influence over US President Donald Trump is one of the most concrete examples of this.
The report stated that important steps have been taken between Türkiye and Syria in many areas, especially in defense industry and military cooperation, and assessed that this rapprochement poses serious risks for Israel.
CLAIM OF PRESSURE ON ISRAEL OVER THE GOLAN HEIGHTS
The report also stated that Israel is facing increasing international pressure to take confidence-building steps with Syria. It was claimed that the Tel Aviv administration could face demands in the near future to withdraw from regions such as the Golan Heights, which it holds under occupation.