Donald Trump Advocates for Normalization of Syrian-Israeli Relations Amid Sanctions Lift Announcement
In a significant diplomatic shift, President Trump met with interim Syrian leader Ahmad al-Chareh, proposing a path towards normalization with Israel following the announcement of lifted sanctions on Syria.
On May 14, 2025, during a diplomatic visit to Qatar, President Donald Trump made a notable announcement regarding Syria, stating that he would order the lifting of sanctions against the nation.
This change of policy was accompanied by a meeting with Ahmad al-Chareh, the interim president of Syria, during which Trump urged for the normalization of relations with Israel, with whom Syria has been in a state of war since 1948.
Trump's meeting with al-Chareh, the first between a sitting U.S. president and a Syrian leader since 1998, lasted approximately thirty minutes and included discussions with regional leaders such as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who participated virtually.
Trump characterized al-Chareh as a 'young and attractive man' and remarked positively about the meeting, indicating that al-Chareh expressed willingness to engage in normalization talks with Israel once internal issues were resolved.
The announcement regarding the lifting of sanctions comes as Syria has faced various international restrictions, initially imposed in 1979 and tightened significantly after the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011, primarily in response to the Assad regime's crackdown on pro-democracy protests.
In the wake of Trump’s announcement, spontaneous celebrations erupted in Syria, with citizens expressing hopes for economic revitalization.
A soap factory owner in Aleppo remarked on the potential positive impact the removal of sanctions could have on the economy and the return of displaced individuals.
During the discussions, Trump also called on Syria to expel armed members of Palestinian groups and take responsibility for the detention of individuals associated with the Islamic State, whose custody currently involves Kurdish forces.
Syrian diplomatic sources described the meeting as a 'historic encounter,' although no direct mention of Israel was made in their statements.
The proposed normalization efforts were viewed with caution by Israel, which is concerned over the potential shifting dynamics and has conducted military operations within Syria to prevent the transfer of weapons to hostile entities.
Additionally, as part of the Qatar visit, Trump highlighted a significant commercial agreement, announcing that Qatar Airways had placed an order for 160 aircraft from Boeing, valued at approximately $200 billion.
The Qatari Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, extended a warm welcome during Trump's arrival, emphasizing the strength of the U.S.-Qatar relationship, while also presenting the backdrop of potential political controversy in the United States regarding Trump's foreign engagements.
The Democratic opposition has raised concerns, alleging that Trump accepted a substantial gift from the Qatari royal family, specifically a Boeing 747-8, which they termed the largest foreign bribe in recent history.
These developments occur alongside Trump's ongoing diplomatic endeavors in the Gulf region, including a forthcoming visit to the United Arab Emirates.
This change of policy was accompanied by a meeting with Ahmad al-Chareh, the interim president of Syria, during which Trump urged for the normalization of relations with Israel, with whom Syria has been in a state of war since 1948.
Trump's meeting with al-Chareh, the first between a sitting U.S. president and a Syrian leader since 1998, lasted approximately thirty minutes and included discussions with regional leaders such as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who participated virtually.
Trump characterized al-Chareh as a 'young and attractive man' and remarked positively about the meeting, indicating that al-Chareh expressed willingness to engage in normalization talks with Israel once internal issues were resolved.
The announcement regarding the lifting of sanctions comes as Syria has faced various international restrictions, initially imposed in 1979 and tightened significantly after the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011, primarily in response to the Assad regime's crackdown on pro-democracy protests.
In the wake of Trump’s announcement, spontaneous celebrations erupted in Syria, with citizens expressing hopes for economic revitalization.
A soap factory owner in Aleppo remarked on the potential positive impact the removal of sanctions could have on the economy and the return of displaced individuals.
During the discussions, Trump also called on Syria to expel armed members of Palestinian groups and take responsibility for the detention of individuals associated with the Islamic State, whose custody currently involves Kurdish forces.
Syrian diplomatic sources described the meeting as a 'historic encounter,' although no direct mention of Israel was made in their statements.
The proposed normalization efforts were viewed with caution by Israel, which is concerned over the potential shifting dynamics and has conducted military operations within Syria to prevent the transfer of weapons to hostile entities.
Additionally, as part of the Qatar visit, Trump highlighted a significant commercial agreement, announcing that Qatar Airways had placed an order for 160 aircraft from Boeing, valued at approximately $200 billion.
The Qatari Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, extended a warm welcome during Trump's arrival, emphasizing the strength of the U.S.-Qatar relationship, while also presenting the backdrop of potential political controversy in the United States regarding Trump's foreign engagements.
The Democratic opposition has raised concerns, alleging that Trump accepted a substantial gift from the Qatari royal family, specifically a Boeing 747-8, which they termed the largest foreign bribe in recent history.
These developments occur alongside Trump's ongoing diplomatic endeavors in the Gulf region, including a forthcoming visit to the United Arab Emirates.
