Israel Struggles To Block Abbas’ Diplomatic Outreach to Damascus
In an in-depth report by Rizik Alabi and Giorgia Valente for The Media Line, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’ recent visit to Syria has raised concerns in Israel about a possible push toward Palestinian statehood and increased international legitimacy for the Palestinian Authority. The visit, his first to Damascus in more than a decade, was delayed after Israeli authorities denied Jordanian airspace clearance—an effort to block the trip that ultimately failed after US intervention.
The meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa signals a strategic shift as Abbas explores new diplomatic alignments, especially as Syria regains regional standing and reenters the Arab League. Analysts see the outreach as an attempt by the PA to distance Syrian support from Hamas and redirect it toward Fatah. Tel Aviv University’s Dr. Harel Chorev said Abbas may be working to present himself as a moderate leader capable of replacing Hamas as the face of Palestinian leadership.
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Abbas’ visit was met with speculation about deeper regional implications. Israeli officials fear new cooperation between Damascus and the PA could empower anti-Israel groups like Hamas and Islamic Jihad, or bolster Palestinian diplomatic standing in Europe and the US. Chorev suggested Israel’s real worry is that a strengthened PA could gain momentum for statehood, a prospect Israeli leaders are not ready to confront.
European Union support for the PA, including a new $1.8 billion aid package, highlights growing international concern over the authority’s survival. While some outcomes of the visit remain unclear, Alabi and Valente report that Abbas is seizing the moment to reposition the PA within a fragmented Middle East.
For more insights on shifting alliances and Israel’s response, read the full article by Rizik Alabi and Giorgia Valente.
