Netanyahu: Deal with Syria ‘preferable,’ but border defense will hold ‘with or without agreement’

A day after visiting an outpost in the IDF-held buffer zone in southern Syria, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that a security agreement with Damascus is “preferable,” but that Israel won’t compromise on border security and protecting minorities in the neighboring country.

“I believe Syria has an interest — no less than Israel, and perhaps even more — in reaching a security agreement with us,” the premier says in an interview with the Abu Ali Express channel on Telegram.

Asked about Syrian President Al Sharaa’s interest in such an arrangement, which has been under US-mediated negotiation, Netanyahu says, “There are various conditions involved — I won’t get into that.”

“But the important point is this: Israel is a very strong country. Israel is very determined. We will not allow threats to develop against us from southwest Syria, and we are also determined to protect our Druze allies” in the country, he says.

“Whether Syria wants to do this through an agreement — that is a separate question. In my view, an agreement is preferable. But the principles of defending our borders and defending our allies will be upheld in any case — with or without an agreement,” he says.