JOINT STATEMENT
May 2, 2025
The Syrian American community strongly condemns Israel’s attack on the grounds of the presidential palace in Damascus last night. Targeting a symbol of Syrian sovereignty is not only incendiary– it’s tantamount to an act of war. This calculated escalation severely undermines prospects for diplomacy and brings the region perilously close to a broader conflict.
This is not an isolated incident. Since Syria’s liberation on December 8, 2024, Israel, under Netanyahu’s leadership, has conducted over 600 strikes on Syrian territory, many of which have caused civilian casualties. These attacks are not acts of defense; they are deliberate, aggressive, and destabilizing. Yet Washington remains silent.
President Trump has consistently championed the end of costly, unnecessary wars in the Middle East and beyond, favoring diplomacy, negotiation, and a return to strategic realism. However, the recent actions of the Netanyahu government stand in stark contrast to that vision.
Such repeated violations of international law do not serve the cause of regional stability. On the contrary, they risk undermining America’s strategic interests by drawing the United States deeper into another Middle Eastern conflict– precisely what President Trump has sought to avoid.
Further destabilization of Syria will not enhance Israel’s security, either. Instead, it threatens to spark renewed waves of migration and create fertile ground for the resurgence of ISIS and other extremist groups, at a time when the United States is rightly focused on securing its borders and bringing our troops home.
Furthermore, if Israel is genuinely concerned about rising Turkish influence in Syria, these actions will only hasten it. The Syrian government now has no choice but to deepen defense ties with Turkey. Netanyahu isn’t just reckless– he’s strategically foolish.
The Syrian American community urges the US government to end its silence. If peace is the objective, Washington must stop enabling reckless actions that risk sparking a broader conflict. It is time to uphold President Trump’s vision by reasserting American leadership grounded in diplomacy, respect for sovereignty, and a commitment to stability, placing American interests above foreign entanglements that endanger lives and global peace.
Syrian American Council (SAC)
American Coalition for Syria (ACS)
Citizens for a Secure and Safe America (C4SSA)
