For the first time since the clash in Beit Jenin, and in the shadow of threats of a"basket of responses" against Damascus due to the unusual incident - the US president intervenes and sends a clear message to Netanyahu."We are pleased with what is happening in Syria. It is important that Israel maintain dialogue, and that nothing happens that will hinder its development," he wrote. Al-Shara' said:"Working vigorously so that good things happen." Following Trump's words: a conversation between him and the Prime Minister. Al-Shara meets in Damascus with the American envoy
Itamar Eichner
,
Lior Ben Ari
|
US President Donald Trump wrote on his social media account Truth Social this evening (Monday) that "We are very pleased with the results presented in Syria, and we are doing everything we can to ensure that the government continues to do what it is designed to do to build a true and prosperous country." Following Trump's remarks, he had a phone call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The president's remarks were published a few days after
The IDF's extraordinary battle in the village of Beit Jan in southern Syria
, where six fighters were wounded, when, in his words,"One of the things that helped them a lot (the Syrians - AA) was that I lifted the harsh sanctions - I believe that this was greatly appreciated in Syria. It is very important that Israel maintains a strong and genuine dialogue with Syria, and that nothing happens that will hinder its development."
4 Viewing the gallery
A-Shara, Netanyahu and Trump (Photo: IDF Spokesperson, Khalil Ashawi/Reuters, Kobi Gideon/GMO, AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
The American president complimented Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in his remarks,
Whom we met at the White House about three weeks ago
, adding:"President al-Shara is working hard to make sure that good things happen, and that Syria and Israel will have a long-term and prosperous relationship together. This is a historic opportunity, and it adds to the success already achieved for peace in the Middle East!"
The unusual battle in Syria took place on the night between Thursday and Friday, in the village of Beit Jen, which is about 11 km from the border. Reserve paratroopers from Brigade 55 ("Spearhead") were operating in the village to arrest suspects from the Sunni terrorist organization Al-Jama'a Al-Islamiya, but after the arrest, fire was opened on them from close range - and in a hand-to-hand fight, six officers and soldiers were injured - three of them in serious condition. The Syrians, for their part, reported 20 deaths from IDF fire.
The meeting between the Syrian president and the American envoy in Damascus
Meanwhile, the Syrian presidency announced this evening that al-Sharaa met in Damascus today with Thomas Barak, the US envoy to Syria. It was reported that"the two discussed the latest developments in the region and issues of common interest, in the presence of Syrian Foreign Minister Asad al-Sheibani."
Perfume for an "attractive young man": Trump's affair with A-Shara
Trump, it will be recalled, has been lavishing praise on al-Sharaa since he came to power in Syria - at the end of the civil war in which Bashar al-Assad was defeated. As mentioned, the two met this month at the White House - during a historic visit by a Syrian president to the White House in Washington."I get along with him, I have confidence that this Syrian president will be fit for the job," Trump said at a press conference. In one of the salient moments of the visit, Trump gave al-Sharaa two bottles of his perfume, Victory 45-47, and sprayed the perfume on him.
The meeting at the White House
Trump and al-Sharaa first met during Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia in May. That meeting was the first between US and Syrian leaders in 25 years. Trump described al-Sharaa as a"young, attractive man" and lifted US sanctions imposed on Syria during Assad's rule, saying it would allow it to embark on a new path and rebuild its economy after 14 years of devastating civil war.
Since al-Shara's rise to power, the Syrian president has presented a moderate front toward the West, claiming that he has abandoned the extremist ideology he espoused when he was an al-Qaeda fighter."We want to see Syria succeed, and I think he can do that," Trump said of the meeting with al-Shara. Referring to the Syrian president's jihadist past, the American president said:"His past is problematic, but we all have problematic pasts. He gets along very well with Turkey, with Erdogan, who is a great leader. Syria is an important part of the Middle East. We are working to get Israel to reach an agreement with Syria, and it is working very well."
