Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa accused Israel of derailing security talks during a meeting with notables in Aleppo on November 30th, stating that "Every time the negotiations reached a final stage, Israel sabotaged the situation." He further asserted that Israel "took active steps to keep the situation as it was" and expressed concern that misconceptions exist regarding Israel's capabilities to alter Syria's territorial integrity. Al-Sharaa made these remarks, emphasizing Syria's reconstruction efforts and its desire for peace and stability. "The people are tired of wars," he stated. Al-Sharaa elaborated that current circumstances, particularly following the Gaza war and its repercussions, do not permit Israel to sever parts of Syria, calling such a possibility "impossible." He highlighted that Syria is not a weak state and is undergoing reconstruction, strengthening its position through diplomacy and forming new regional alliances. He expressed hope for a positive outcome in ongoing diplomatic efforts. These statements echo concerns previously raised by the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) regarding Damascus obstructing negotiations with the SDC due to unresponsiveness to a list of SDF leaders for army integration. The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs had also expressed concern on November 30th about supporters of the new Syrian government burning the Israeli flag, calling for Syrian authorities to prohibit such displays of hatred.
