Syrian President Ahmed al Sharaa used his time at the United Nations General Assembly to criticize Israel over its airstrikes against his country.
Most of Sharaa’s speech focused on the progress Syria had made since his forces took Damascus, ending the rule of the Assad regime after over half a century in power. He concluded his speech on a harsher note, turning his ire towards Israel and its continued attacks against Syria, portraying Jerusalem as isolated in its hostile approach.
“The world is joyed about our return, but Israel is launching attacks against Syria,” he said. “There have been 500 airstrikes, more than 1,200 incursions, and 300 detentions. This is at odds with the orientation we’re seeing at the global level. It is reminiscent of an era that we thought was long gone.”
Sharaa called on Israel to withdraw from the Syrian territory it had advanced into since the fall of Assad’s government in December 2024, and to cease its attacks.
“We reject Israeli attempts to impose a fait accompli,” he said. “We reject their aggressions, which undermines peace and security.”
Sharaa also reaffirmed Syria’s ownership of the Golan Heights, an area seized by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War, and annexed by Israel in 1981. Notably, Sharaa’s family is from the Golan Heights, which led to his nom de guerre, al Julani, meaning “the man from Golan.” He was referred to by this name until taking the presidency.
The Syrian president ended on a softer note, expressing his desire for peace with Israel.
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“The opportunity for peace and security is available to those who wish to live in peace, in just peace that maintains the rights of all,” he said.
Israel has taken a hostile approach to the new government in Damascus since before it even took power, wary of Sharaa’s jihadi origins. The Syrian leader had been sent to the war-torn country by ISIS caliph Abu Bakr al Baghdadi to establish the infamous terrorist group’s Syrian branch, only breaking with al Baghdadi over a leadership dispute and choosing instead to side with al Qaeda. Israel has launched periodic air strikes against Syrian government targets, inflaming tensions with the U.S.