Israel’s Foreign Minister Calls on Europe to Address Syrian Atrocities

Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has urged Europe to deny legitimacy to Syria’s transitional government following reports of over 1,000 civilian deaths. He criticized Europe’s complacency, linking new leaders to terrorist activities. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported significant casualties amidst escalating violence. The EU has recently eased sanctions despite calls from Syrian leaders for further diplomatic engagement.

Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has called on Europe to reassess its stance toward Syria’s transitional authorities following reports of extensive civilian casualties from recent clashes. In an interview with Germany’s Bild newspaper, he emphasized that Europe should not lend legitimacy to a regime with a known terrorist background, stating, “Europe must not fail in reading the reality. It must wake up.”

The clashes, which erupted along the Mediterranean coast, have escalated into some of the deadliest violence since the ouster of Bashar al-Assad. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has reported that 745 civilians, primarily from the Alawite minority, were killed in the provinces of Latakia and Tartus, alongside the deaths of 125 security personnel and 148 pro-Assad fighters, bringing the total death toll to 1,018.

Saar criticized the international community’s interactions with Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, stating that the new leadership, which includes members with terrorist connections, should not receive endorsement from European nations. He remarked, “This weekend, the masks came off, as men mercilessly massacred their own people.” Sharaa’s group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, has ties to Al-Qaeda and remains labeled as a terrorist organization by several governments, including the United States.

Despite this, Syrian leaders are advocating for the easing of sanctions imposed during the civil war. Recently, the European Union has relaxed sanctions aimed at aiding Syria’s reconstruction. Meanwhile, Israel continues to monitor the situation closely from a UN-maintained buffer zone on the Golan Heights, with its forces conducting airstrikes against Syrian military positions regularly.

The current conflict in Syria, marked by recent violence and civilian casualties, has raised alarms from Israeli officials who urge Europe to reconsider its approach toward the country’s transitional authorities. The actions of the new regime have been deemed intolerable, and international engagement with these leaders raises ethical concerns. As the situation evolves, Israel remains vigilant in protecting its borders and interests in the region.

Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com