Syria’s Descent: How Zionist Tactics Undermined an Ally of Palestine
The plight of Syria is one of the most significant and overlooked narratives in the broader Palestinian conflict. To fully understand the importance of Syria’s collapse to Israeli interests, we must journey through history—back to the foundations of the modern Arab world, Syria’s historical allegiance to Palestine, and how its destabilization serves a larger agenda of Zionist expansion.
In the early 20th century, the Arab world was carved into separate nation-states under Western colonial mandates. The Sykes-Picot Agreement of 1916 divided the Middle East between Britain and France, creating artificial borders that fragmented Arab unity. Syria, once part of a larger Arab identity and civilization, was reduced to a fraction of its historical and cultural expanse. This division weakened the Arab world, ensuring it could not stand united against colonial powers or, later, Zionist ambitions in Palestine.
From the Nakba in 1948 to the Six-Day War in 1967 and beyond, Syria has stood as a staunch ally of Palestine. It provided refuge for Palestinian exiles, military support to resistance groups, and vocal opposition to Israeli expansionism. Syria’s Golan Heights, illegally occupied by Israel since 1967, is a stark reminder of the price Syria paid for its unwavering support for Palestine.
Key Wars and Syrian Allegiance to Palestine
Lebanon Civil War (1975-1990): Syria intervened in Lebanon, not only to stabilize its neighbor but also to support Palestinian factions operating there, particularly the PLO. The Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982 further entangled Syria in defending Palestinian interests.
1948 Arab-Israeli War: Syria was one of the first Arab nations to send troops to Palestine in an attempt to prevent the establishment of the state of Israel. Although the war ended in defeat for the Arab coalition, Syria’s commitment to Palestine was unwavering.
Six-Day War (1967): Syria’s alliance with Egypt and Jordan placed it at the forefront of the Arab effort to counter Israeli aggression. Despite the devastating loss of the Golan Heights, Syria continued to back Palestinian resistance groups.
Yom Kippur War (1973): Syria coordinated with Egypt in an attempt to reclaim lost territories, including the Golan Heights. While the war demonstrated Syria’s enduring commitment to the Palestinian cause, it also revealed the challenges of confronting Israel’s military and its Western backers.
These wars underscore Syria’s historic role as a frontline state in the Arab-Israeli conflict and its sacrifices for the Palestinian cause.
The chaos that engulfed Syria after 2011 was not an isolated event. The so-called “Arab Spring” protests that evolved into a bloody civil war were exacerbated by foreign intervention. The regime change agenda in Syria aligned closely with Israeli interests, weakening one of the last strongholds of resistance to Zionist expansion.
Israel’s role in Syria’s collapse is both direct and indirect:
Strategic Expansion: By keeping Syria divided and weakened, Israel secures its illegal annexation of the Golan Heights and eliminates a key ally of Palestine.
Military Interventions: Israel has conducted hundreds of airstrikes in Syria under the pretext of targeting Iranian assets and Hezbollah. These bombings have devastated Syria’s infrastructure, furthering its descent into chaos.
Support for Armed Groups: Reports have emerged of Israeli assistance to anti-government militias in southern Syria, ensuring prolonged instability along its borders.
The regime change in Syria has introduced a significant shift in its foreign policy, particularly regarding Israel. While Bashar al-Assad’s government has historically opposed Israeli occupation and supported groups like Hezbollah, recent developments suggest a growing pragmatism. Reports indicate that some factions within Syria have expressed interest in aligning with Israel, particularly as a counterbalance to Hezbollah and Iran’s influence.
This emerging narrative—though still evolving—highlights a potential fragmentation of Syria’s historical stance. While official Syrian rhetoric remains critical of Israeli aggression, there are indications of a covert realignment, with some leaders hinting at potential cooperation against mutual threats. Such a shift would mark a dramatic departure from Syria’s legacy as a cornerstone of Arab resistance.
The collapse of Syria is part of a broader Zionist strategy to fracture and weaken neighboring Arab states. This “divide and conquer” approach ensures that no single nation can effectively challenge Israeli hegemony. Iraq, Libya, and Yemen have suffered similar fates—each collapse serving to bolster Israel’s strategic position.
As the world watches Syria crumble, it is vital to recognize the broader implications of this tragedy. The Palestinian cause is deeply intertwined with the stability of the Arab world. Every bomb dropped on Damascus reverberates in Gaza. Every Israeli expansion in the Golan Heights tightens the noose around Palestine.
Citations:
The Sykes-Picot Agreement fragmented Arab unity. (Britannica)Syria sent troops to Palestine during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. (History.state.gov)Syria allied with Egypt and Jordan in the Six-Day War (1967). (BBC)Syria aimed to reclaim the Golan Heights during the Yom Kippur War (1973). (Britannica)Syria supported the PLO during the Lebanese Civil War. (Britannica)Israel conducted airstrikes in Syria targeting Iranian and Hezbollah assets. (Times of Israel)Syria’s new leadership hinted at cooperation with Israel. (The Times)
“If it wasn’t anti-Semitic to do it to South Africa, it’s not anti-Semitic to do it to Israel.”
― Jimmy Dore