Syrians are increasingly voicing support for peace with Israel. Journalist Furat Alali from Damascus told Digital, “We want a future free from war and the ability to live our lives. People are no longer afraid to express their views.”

This statement indicates a notable change in Syria’s political climate, with many Syrians openly considering the possibility of peace with Israel. This shift coincides with direct talks between Syria and Israel, as reported by Reuters on Tuesday, which marks a significant departure from decades of animosity.

Recently, Israel and Syria have engaged in direct discussions focusing on security concerns along their shared border. These talks are a major advancement in relations between the two nations, which have been rivals for many years.

Sources familiar with the discussions suggest that the U.S. has been instrumental in facilitating these talks, encouraging Syria’s new leadership to engage with Israel.

These discussions follow a change in U.S. policy, subsequent to President meeting with Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa earlier this month. This meeting signaled a departure from long-standing U.S. hostility toward Syria’s Assad regime and opened the possibility of normalization between Syria and Israel.

While the talks are in their initial stages, Trump’s involvement has raised the prospect of Syria’s leadership eventually normalizing relations with Israel, although this process is expected to take time.

Furat Alali stated: “We no longer wish to be part of the Axis of Resistance. The Palestinian cause has been used to oppress us. While we sympathize with the Palestinians, our focus now needs to be on Syria and its future.”

Lina Ali, a 24-year-old pharmacist from Latakia, told Digital, “We sympathize with the people of Gaza and condemn the mass killings, but our situation is different. We are now prioritizing our own interests. The exploitation of the Palestinian cause to oppress the Syrian people is no longer acceptable. We are tired of it.”

Another young woman interviewed by Jusoor News, a Pan-Arab media outlet, echoed similar sentiments: “We support anything that benefits our country. We have endured difficult times, and our economy is weak. It is time for people to live.”

An elderly Syrian man told Jusoor, “We’ve spent 40-50 years advocating for Arabism and liberating Palestine, with nothing to show for it. It’s time for peace.”

The change in Syria’s position on Israel is particularly significant given the between the two nations. For decades, Syria and Israel have been in conflict, with the status of the Golan Heights, captured by Israel in 1967, remaining a key point of contention. Syria’s involvement in the Axis of Resistance, aligning with Iran and Hezbollah against Israel, has been central to its foreign policy.

However, the recent rise of interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa has presented both new opportunities and concerns.

Furat Ali said, “I extensively covered the violations of Jabhat al-Nusra before the fall of the Assad regime, the group Al-Jolani emerged from (using his previous name), which was part of al-Qaeda. I know exactly what they did. So, when I first heard that Al-Jolani and challenging Assad, I was scared.”

“But as time went on,” she added, “when he rebranded himself as Ahmed al-Sharaa and promised a new direction, I saw he was smart. He managed to convince the West to lift sanctions and engage with him, bringing back international recognition for Syria. While we remain skeptical and cautious, what we’re seeing from Sharaa domestically is so far being accepted.”

Joseph Braude, founder and president of the Center for Peace Communications, emphasized the importance of the shift in public opinion within Syria. He stated, “People in Syria and Lebanon often associate the Palestinian issue with dictators who used it to justify corruption and brutality. There is a growing rejection of pro-Palestinian militancy, as many now want to move forward and focus on new partnerships to develop their own countries.”

“We believe that a majority in Syria now think that if peace with Israel leads to economic development and improvements, it is worth pursuing.”

He also noted that in countries dominated by Iran and its militias, ordinary people are most aware of the harm these groups cause. “They are among the most eager for a different future, increasingly calling for peace,” Braude added.

As one man interviewed by Jusoor News said: “We’ve suffered years of oppression and war. It’s time for reconstruction. We need peace with everyone,” another Syrian added’ “I support normalization a million percent! If normalization with Israel, or America or whoever can bring us comfort, then I’m on board. We just want peace!”