Kurdish Officials Warn Israel That 'Honeymoon' With Syria's New Regime Is Ending
Kurdish politicians have warned Israel that their fragile understanding with Ahmed al-Sharaa's government in Syria is unraveling amid rising Islamist influence and systemic antisemitism.
Kurdish politicians have warned Israel that their "honeymoon" with the government of Ahmed al-Sharaa in Syria is coming to an end, according to exclusive information obtained following recent meetings.
Last Tuesday, Kurdish politicians from Syria and Iraqi Kurdistan held a meeting, with some attendees maintaining close ties to leadership circles in Erbil and former SDF commander Mazloum Abdi. These sources chose to convey critical warnings to Israel amid ongoing Middle East developments.
According to the Kurdish sources, a dangerous dynamic is unfolding in Syria, particularly in the northeastern al-Hasakah governorate, home to a large Kurdish population. They have identified an emerging alliance between ISIS-style Islamist elements and Arab nationalists.
The Honeymoon Will End
The sources further cautioned that Syria will never genuinely accept Israel due to deeply rooted antisemitism, stressing that Israelis must not fall into a trap. Having decades of experience dealing with Arabs in Syria, they noted that while promises of political and cultural rights were made, these assurances will likely be abandoned once the current honeymoon phase concludes.
On August 25, Mazloum Abdi announced the dissolution of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the dismantling of the Kurdish autonomy in northeastern and eastern Syria. Under the agreement, Kurdish units are to be integrated into the Syrian security apparatus, with senior Kurdish figures appointed to government institutions.
However, this agreement has faced fierce internal criticism among Kurds, as optimism regarding the intentions of Ahmed al-Sharaa and the Islamist factions dominating the new regime remains scarce. Kurdish sources believe Abdi had little choice but to agree to the framework, especially as the United States scaled back its support.
Concerns are mounting that al-Sharaa's government is not interested in guaranteeing Kurdish rights or peaceful integration, but rather in forcing Kurds to abandon their identity and assimilate into the Muslim majority. Warning that Kurds have a long history of betrayals by such regimes, sources expressed fear that the Abdi-al-Sharaa agreement could collapse entirely.
Radicalization and Antisemitism
Furthermore, Kurdish sources warned that daily Friday incitement in Syrian mosques urges worshippers to murder Jews as a religious duty.
"Syria is going through a difficult period. You have seen some Syrians reaching out to Israel with messages of peace and neighborly relations, but in reality, public discourse remains intensely hostile toward Israel," the sources stated. They added that Syrian fighters are displaying growing confidence, shouting slogans such as, "We liberated Syria from Assad; in the future, we will liberate the Golan and Jerusalem."
Kurdish Public Support for Israel
Regarding relations with Israel, the sources clarified that the Kurdish street overwhelmingly supports Israel, and that statements by Israeli leadership regarding the plight and rights of Kurds have been received very positively.
They emphasized that Israel should capitalize on this dynamic. Beyond a population of eight million, Israel holds the backing of tens of millions of Kurds. Kurds and Jews are natural allies who have faced identical enemies in a particularly hostile region.
"The Kurdish leadership appreciates moral support from Israeli politicians, but we are interested in bolder statements," the sources said. They urged Israel to extend its condemnations beyond Turkish actions to include the violations currently committed by the government of al-Sharaa against Kurds in Syria.
Kurdish researcher and journalist Sazan Sitiz told the press that Israel must seize this opportunity, noting that a unified front between Kurds and Jews would be formidable, particularly as Islamists and nationalists continue fueling hatred against both groups.
