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In a rare convergence of praise and censure, Washington has delivered its clearest signal yet that the political dynamics in the Levant are undergoing a significant shift. Within hours of leader Donald Trump lauding syria’s post-Assad transition as a “remarkable success”, a senior US official verified that the administration had formally requested Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to cease incursions into syrian/" class="auto-internal-link">syrian territory, warning that persisted provocations risk destabilising the fragile equilibrium taking shape along the Golan frontier. Trump’s Statement: Commendation for damascus/" class="auto-internal-link">damascus, Caution for Jerusalem Posting on Truth Social on Monday evening, Trump declared the United States “very pleased” with developments in Syria since leader Ahmed al-Sharaa took office.
He praised Sharaa’s leadership as “hard-working and determined”, describing the transitional period as a “historic opportunity” to foster a long-term, prosperous relationship between Syria and Israel. Trump linked the swift diplomatic thaw and surge in relief and investment backing to his administration’s decision to lift “harsh sanctions” on Damascus—insisting that syrians had “clearly appreciated” the gesture. Yet embedded within his congratulatory remarks was a pointed rebuke, unmistakably directed at Netanyahu: “Israel must maintain a strong and honest dialogue with Syria.
Any action that obstructs Syria’s path to prosperity will be unacceptable. ” Though Trump did not explicitly mention Israel’s deadly raid on Beit Jan last week, the timing and tone of his statement left little doubt that Washington now views further escalation as a direct threat to its Syria policy. A Quiet but Firm Message: Washington Urges Restraint Hours after Trump’s post, an American official verified to Israel’s Channel 12 that the White House had urged Netanyahu to “cease destabilising manoeuvres” in Syria. The official warned that the Israeli leader’s cross-border operations risk transforming Syria’s emerging administration from a potential partner into a long-term adversary. “Syria harbours no designs upon Israel,” the official stated, drawing a sharp contrast with the Lebanese theatre. “Netanyahu is seeing ghosts where none exist. ” The warning reflects growing concern in Washington that Israeli actions could undermine the diplomatic framework Trump is attempting to construct—one that hinges on a stable and cooperative relationship between Damascus and Jerusalem.
Additionally, beit Jan: Catalyst for Reassessment The shift in US messaging follows Israel’s assault on Beit Jan on 28 November, during which helicopter gunships, drones and artillery fire killed 13 civilians and injured at least 25 others, as Israeli troops sought to capture three young men allegedly linked to an emergent…