Sa’ar says Israel wants ‘good relations’ with Syrian regime, in departure from previous rhetoric

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar says that Israel seeks “good relations” with the new government in Damascus, following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s announcement today that Israeli forces had recovered the remains of Sgt. First Class Zvi Feldman, who went missing during the First Lebanon War in 1982

Asked during a Jerusalem press conference whether Israel received assistance from the Syrian government during the recovery mission, and if there is a growing alliance with Damascus following reports of indirect talks, Sa’ar says: “It seems that this question should go to the Prime Minister’s Office.”

“However, we would like to have good relations,” he continues. “We would like to have stability. We have, naturally, security concerns, and it is understood.”

He acknowledges that Israel has reason “to be skeptical with the current regime” in Syria, in particular due to “certain moves… with regard to minorities in the country” — an apparent reference to the recent violence against Syrian Druze that left dozens dead.

“But our intentions are good,” Sa’ar says. “We want it. We want security. We want stability. This is our wish.”

His comments appear to mark a shift in tone from the harsh rhetoric he has adopted to describe Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa and his government.

Earlier this month, after the deadly sectarian clashes in largely Druze areas of Syria, Sa’ar urged the international community to “protect minorities in Syria, and specifically the Druze, from the regime and its terrorist gangs.”

Similarly, back in March, after reports that over a thousand civilians were massacred in the country’s Alawite heartland, Sa’ar condemned the “pure evil” of Syria’s “jihadist” leadership.

“They were jihadists and remain jihadists, even if some of their leaders have donned suits,” he said at the time.

His comments today come after Sharaa confirmed last week that his country was currently taking part in indirect talks with Israel, which reports have said are being mediated by the United Arab Emirates.

Sharaa said that the backchannel negotiations are aimed at “easing tensions and preventing the situation from spiraling out of control for all involved parties.”