Washington, D.C. — On behalf of the Syrian American community, the undersigned organizations strongly condemn Israel’s recent and intensifying airstrikes on Syrian territory and state institutions. We urge the U.S. government to take immediate steps to halt these aggressive and destabilizing attacks.
Israel’s attacks—culminating in a shocking attack on the Presidential Palace and the Syrian Ministry of Defense headquarters in central Damascus—are a blatant and unlawful violation of Syria’s sovereignty. These strikes have led to the tragic loss of lives and have further undermined Syria’s fragile stability at a time when national reconciliation and recovery efforts are critically needed. They risk reigniting conflict, exacerbating sectarian tension, and undermining regional stability. Prime Minister Netanyahu’s actions also contradict U.S. strategic interests and President Trump’s policy objectives, including support for a sovereign and peaceful Syria.
Israel’s actions in Syria exceed any reasonable claim of self-defense and represent a pattern of overreach in the region that has grave humanitarian and geopolitical consequences. The Syrian government has not engaged Israeli forces since December 8, 2024, and has publicly expressed its desire for peaceful regional relations. Syria just concluded direct security talks with Israel in Baku, Azerbaijan. Nonetheless, Israel has suddenly escalated its military campaign, undermining diplomatic avenues, eroding trust, and destabilizing a fragile situation. These strikes threaten Syria’s stability and create new conditions for extremism, displacement, and humanitarian collapse.
On the ground, Syrians also reject Israel’s disingenuous claims of protecting the Syrian Druze community—claims that serve as a thin cover for Netanyahu’s broader strategy aimed at keeping Syria weak, divided, and unstable. Notably, Israel launched its latest airstrikes after a ceasefire had been announced and agreements were reached between Damascus and provincial and religious leaders in Suwayda. Syria’s internal challenges must be addressed internally, through national reconciliation, inclusive governance, transitional justice, and accountability—not through short-sighted foreign military interventions. As part of this process, we cannot accept external demands—such as Israeli calls to demilitarize the south—that dictate the terms of Syria’s internal security and seek to limit where the government can operate within its own sovereign territory.
The United States explicitly urged Israel not to intervene, yet these demands were disregarded. Israel’s inconsistent posture is also evident. When ISIS attacked Suwayda in July 2018, killing 258 people, Israel did not intervene. It has also never intervened to stop war crimes by the Assad regime, including chemical weapons use. Netanyahu’s current campaign cannot credibly be called humanitarian—it is strategic, calculated, and dangerous.
No country should be permitted to carry out unilateral, unjustified strikes that trample on another country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. This ongoing assault on Syrian land and people demands serious diplomatic consequences. We urge the United States government to take a firm stand in defense of Syria and of international law, to hold Netanyahu accountable for his violations in Syria, and to restrain Israel’s use of force in the country.
Accordingly, on behalf of Syrian Americans, we call on the United States to:
- Demand an immediate cessation of Israeli airstrikes and military operations in Syria.
- Uphold Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in line with international law, and prevent Israeli landgrabs or attempts to destabilize Syria.
- Press Israel to withdraw from all occupied Syrian territory and provide restitution for damage to farmland, water resources, and civilian infrastructure.
- Initiate and continue urgent diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation and facilitate dialogue between relevant stakeholders.
American leadership is critical at this juncture. Failure to act weakens U.S. credibility and enables further violations of sovereignty under the pretext of security.
A stable and sovereign Syria—free from foreign bombardment—is vital not only for Syrians, but for regional and global peace.
Signatories:
Citizens for a Secure and Safe America (C4SSA)
American Coalition for Syria (ACS)
Syrian American Council (SAC)
Syrian Forum
Syrian American Alliance for Peace and Prosperity (SAAPP)
Mercy Without Limits
Pro-Justice
