Elias Zananiri examines the complicated relationship between the Syrian regime and the Palestinian cause [1], spanning decades of political maneuvering and repression. Under the leadership of Hafez and Bashar Assad, Syria often claimed to champion Palestinian liberation but focused more on controlling Palestinian factions like the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). This paradoxical stance—marked by manipulation, imprisonment, and violence—has left a lasting impact on Palestinians.
From the animosity between Hafez Assad and Yasser Arafat to Bashar Assad’s harsh treatment of Palestinian activists, Zananiri highlights incidents like Syria’s alleged betrayal during Lebanon’s civil war and the use of brutal prisons like Sednaya, infamous for torture. Ahmad Jibril’s leadership of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command, known for its allegiance to the Assad regime, serves as a case study of how Syria’s policies often undermined Palestinian autonomy.
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With the collapse of the Assad regime, discussions about Syria’s future and its potential transformation into a democracy have taken center stage. Ahmed al-Sharaa, leader of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, advocates for a democratic state that moves beyond Assad’s legacy. Palestinians are cautiously optimistic about a neutral Syria that might abandon its historical double-dealing.
Zananiri concludes that Syria has been both a “closing door” and an “opening window” for Palestinians, leaving hope for change. To read the full analysis by Elias Zananiri [1], visit The Media Line.