Israeli Proposal for an International Conference to Divide Syria into Cantons
The Israeli newspaper “Israel Hayom” revealed that two days ago, a secretive, limited meeting was held by the Israeli security cabinet to discuss the future of Syria, culminating in a proposal for an international conference to divide Syria into cantons.
According to the Israeli publication, the high-level, secretive meeting, chaired by Defense Minister Israel Katz, concluded with recommendations presented to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu is expected to hold a special meeting in the coming days to consider these issues, with a particular focus on Turkey’s involvement in Syria, which poses a threat to Israel.
During this confidential meeting, discussions touched upon the changes in Syria, focusing particularly on the attitudes of the new Syrian administration’s leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa. The talks, as reported, centered around concerns for the safety and security of Israel’s friendly minorities, the Druze and the Kurds.
Energy and former Foreign Minister Eli Cohen was reportedly the one who proposed the international conference on Syria, emphasizing the scenario of dividing the country into cantons. The objective, as relayed by Cohen to the newspaper, is to ensure Israel’s northern border security and allow for effective defense against threats posed by non-compliant Syrian factions, as per the disengagement agreement.
Moreover
“Israel Hayom” disclosed that the call to partition Syria into provinces or cantons has been
discussed by senior Israeli political and security officials since the fall of the Assad regime, with
the aim of securing the safety and rights of all ethnic groups in Syria. This discussion was not
publicized until now.
On the other hand, Israeli security sources quoted in “Israel Hayom” stated that Tel Aviv has no
intention of settling in Syria but also has no plans to withdraw from areas it has captured, “until
the situation in Syria stabilizes.”
These sources further suggested that one way to achieve stability in Syria might be through an
international conference that could restructure Syria and its borders in a manner that allows
Israel to withdraw its forces without compromising its security.
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