On Palestine: ‘No Power Can Uproot People From Their Land’ – Ahmed Al-Sharaa

Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa has issued his first public comment on US President Donald Trump’s plan to expel Palestinians from Gaza. Speaking to “The Rest is Politics” podcast, hosted by Alastair Campbell, Al-Sharaa firmly rejected the idea, stating that no force can uproot an entire people from their land.

“I believe there is no power that can uproot a people from their land. Many countries have tried to do so and have all failed, especially during the last war in Gaza. Over the past year and a half, people have endured pain, killing, and destruction, yet they refused to leave their land,” he said.

Al-Sharaa emphasized that for over 80 years, all attempts to displace Palestinians have failed. “Those who left regretted their decision. The lesson every Palestinian generation has learned is the importance of holding onto the land. It would be neither wise nor morally or politically right for Trump to lead an effort to force Palestinians out of their land, in my opinion,” he added.

Drawing a comparison to US policies on immigration, the Syrian President questioned Trump’s stance. “Why does he expel Mexicans from America? And now he is doing the same thing here. I believe this is a serious crime that will ultimately lead to disastrous consequences and will not succeed,” he warned.

Trump recently reiterated his plan to “own and buy” Gaza, dismissing Palestinian objections and framing the issue as a real estate matter. He also suggested reallocating parts of Gaza to neighboring countries, further fueling controversy over his proposal according to the Quds News Network.

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Sharaa Says No to Syrian Normalization With Israel

Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa ruled out any near-term normalization deal with Israel, citing its continued occupation of the Golan Heights.

In an interview with The Economist, Al-Sharaa stressed that Syria seeks peaceful relations with all countries. However, he noted that Israel’s presence in the region remains a major obstacle. “There is great sensitivity regarding the Israeli matter, especially after the big wars and their occupation of the Golan since 1967,” he said. Al-Sharaa made no mention of Israel’s genocide in Gaza.

Ahmed Al-Sharaa also addressed US and Israeli military activities in Syria. He reaffirmed Syria’s commitment to the 1974 disengagement agreement with the occupation state, mediated by the UN. He called on Israeli forces to withdraw to pre-advancement positions to allow the UN peacekeeping force (UNDOF) to operate in the buffer zone.

Regarding US troops in Syria, Al-Sharaa asserted that any foreign military presence must be based on official agreements. “We are reassessing the Russian military presence, and we might reach an agreement or not. But any presence should have the host state’s approval,” he explained.

The Syrian president reiterated that international pressure is mounting against Israel’s recent military actions. “There is near-unanimous agreement that this advancement is not right,” he said.

While Al-Sharaa did not rule out future discussions, he emphasized that Syria is still prioritizing internal recovery. “We entered Damascus only two months ago, and there are many priorities ahead of us. It is too early to discuss such matters,” he concluded according to the Quds News Network.

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New Syrian Government Condemns Israeli Attacks

In its first official stance, the new Syrian Interim Government has condemned Israel’s invasion of Syrian territories. Syria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Qusai Al-Dhahhak, sent two letters to the UN Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council. He demanded respect for the disengagement agreement and the mandate of the UNDOF peacekeeping forces.

“Syria condemns, in the strongest terms, the Israeli aggression and incursion into Syrian lands,” Al-Dhahhak stated. He called on the UN and the Security Council to take firm and immediate action to stop Israel’s attacks and ensure its withdrawal from areas it recently occupied according to the Quds News Network.

Ahmed Al-Sharaa, General Commander of the Military Operations Administration, stressed the importance of diplomatic solutions to ensure regional stability. “Diplomatic efforts are the only way to guarantee security and stability, avoiding reckless military adventures,” he said.

He warned of Israel’s actions crossing disengagement lines in Syria. “The Israelis have clearly violated disengagement lines, threatening unjustified escalation in the region,” Al-Sharaa stated. He also criticized Israel’s pretexts for the ongoing attacks, saying, “The Israeli excuses have become weak and no longer justify their recent violations.”

Al-Sharaa emphasized Syria’s current priorities. “The Syrian situation, weakened by years of war and conflict, does not permit engagement in new conflicts,” he explained. He called on the international community to act urgently. “There is a necessity for international intervention to address the latest Israeli escalation and ensure respect for Syrian sovereignty.”

Al-Sharaa urged focus on rebuilding the country rather than entering into further conflicts. “Our priority at this stage is reconstruction and stability, not being dragged into disputes that may lead to more destruction,” he concluded.

US and Israel Coordination

General Michael Kurilla, commander of US Central Command, met Israeli military officials in Tel Aviv to discuss the situation in Syria. They addressed regional security and the ongoing Israeli assaults.

For the eighth consecutive day, Israeli forces have conducted air and ground strikes on Syria. Overnight, they targeted facilities near the town of Kafr and the 15th Special Forces Division, along with electronic warfare installations.

Local sources reported fresh airstrikes on areas near Damascus, Sweida, and Hama. Explosions were heard near the Scientific Studies and Research Center in Masyaf. Witnesses in Damascus documented remnants of Israeli missiles in the Rukn Al-Din area.

Israel claimed its attacks destroyed 90% of Syria’s military capabilities. Targets included warplanes, naval assets, and strategic sites, aimed at preventing them from falling into rebel hands after the collapse of the Assad regime.

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