MKs urge reinforcing alliances, Israel's borders after fall of Assad regime

Lapid highlighted the weakening of the Iranian axis as a strategic opportunity for Israel.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF DECEMBER 8, 2024 08:01 Updated: DECEMBER 8, 2024 08:22

Syrian rebels pose for a picture with an army helicopter at the Nayrab military airport in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo on December 2, 2024. (photo credit: AAREF WATAD/AFP via Getty Images)

Opposition head Yair Lapid urged Israel to strengthen regional alliances with Saudi Arabia and the Abraham Accords nations to confront growing instability in the region, particularly in light of events in Syria and the fall of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad's regime on Sunday.

In a statement on Sunday, Lapid highlighted the weakening of the Iranian axis as a strategic opportunity for Israel. He called for a comprehensive diplomatic initiative to enhance regional stability, which he said would also strengthen Israel's position in Gaza and the West Bank.

מול האירועים בסוריה חשוב יותר מתמיד ליצור קואליציה איזורית חזקה, עם סעודיה ומדינות הסכמי אברהם, כדי להתמודד ביחד עם חוסר היציבות האיזורי. הציר האיראני נחלש באופן משמעותי, וישראל צריכה לחתור להישג מדיני כולל שיסייע לה גם בעזה וביו"ש

— יאיר לפיד - Yair Lapid (@yairlapid) December 8, 2024

Lapid emphasized the need for cooperation with key regional partners to address shared security challenges and promote peace and stability.

Chikli calls to reclaim Mount Hermon

Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli urged Israel to reclaim Mount Hermon and establish a defensive line along the 1974 ceasefire boundary to counter regional threats and prevent extremist groups from gaining a foothold near its borders in a post on X on Sunday.

הארועים בסוריה רחוקים מלהיות סיבה למסיבה. למרות הריברנדינג של הייאת תחריר א-שאם ומנהיגה אחמד א שרע, בשורה התחתונה מרבית סוריה נמצאת כעת בשליטת ארגוני בת של אל- קאעידה ודעאש. החדשות הטובות הן התחזקות הכורדים והרחבת שליטתם בצפון מזרח המדינה (מרחב דיר א-זור). אופרטיבית על ישראל… pic.twitter.com/AJG3fhFrji

— עמיחי שיקלי - Amichai Chikli (@AmichaiChikli) December 8, 2024

Chikli warned of the increasing presence of jihadist groups in Syria, noting that while Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its leader, Abu Mohammad al-Julani (Ahmad Hussein al-Sharaa), have rebranded, much of Syria remains under the influence of al-Qaeda and ISIS affiliates.

He also highlighted the expansion of Kurdish control in northeastern Syria as a positive development. Still, he stressed that Israel must act decisively to prevent extremist groups from gaining a foothold near its communities.

In the early hours of Sunday, the Syrian military's command informed officers that Assad's regime had ended, with Syrian rebels announcing Damascus had been freed.

Reuters contributed to this report.