Syria’s new president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, has expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue with Israel, while urging an immediate halt to Israeli airstrikes in Syrian territory. In a rare interview published Wednesday by the Jewish Journal, al-Sharaa struck a markedly different tone from his predecessors, suggesting the two nations share common enemies and hinting at the potential for future cooperation.

“The era of endless tit-for-tat bombings must end,” al-Sharaa said. “No nation prospers when its skies are filled with fear.”

While stopping short of endorsing normalization with Israel, al-Sharaa acknowledged the possibility of regional alignment. “We have common enemies — and we can play a major role in regional security,” he said, responding to questions about future relations.

His comments come amid renewed Israeli airstrikes in Syria over the weekend, part of a long-running campaign to prevent Iranian entrenchment near Israel’s northern border. Al-Sharaa called for a return to the spirit of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement between Israel and Syria, framing it not just as a ceasefire line but as a mechanism for “mutual restraint and protection of civilians,” particularly the Druze communities in southern Syria and the Golan Heights.

“Syria’s Druze are not pawns,” he said. “They are citizens — deeply rooted, historically loyal, and deserving of every protection under the law. Their safety is non-negotiable.”

The new Syrian leader also praised U.S. President Donald Trump, whom he met earlier this month at a summit in the Gulf. Calling Trump “a man of peace,” al-Sharaa said the two leaders had faced similar enemies and could find common ground.

“Trump understands leverage, strength, and outcomes,” he said. “If there is a possibility of alignment that helps bring stability to the region — and security to the U.S. and its allies — I am ready to have that conversation.”

Al-Sharaa echoed Trump’s campaign slogan, stating his own desire to “make Syria great again.” He described his vision for Syria as pluralistic and inclusive, pledging support for the return of all Syrians — including Jews, Druze, and Christians — whose properties were confiscated by the former regime.

“I did not seek this position to rule,” he said. “I accepted it because Syria must turn the page.”

Asked whether the public can trust a government emerging from years of civil war and authoritarian rule, al-Sharaa responded, “I don’t ask for trust. I ask for patience — and for scrutiny. Hold me accountable. Hold this process accountable.”

The interview comes amid reports of quiet, indirect contact between Israel and Syria aimed at reducing tensions along their shared border. However, officials in Israel and the West remain wary. Many caution that al-Sharaa, once linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, may be using moderate rhetoric to consolidate power before potentially returning Syria to a confrontational stance.

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