British Diplomat Reveals Secret Pledges to Normalize Relations Between Damascus and Tel Aviv
The neglect of the issue of Israeli forces' withdrawal from Syrian territories in normalization negotiations reflects the current regime's willingness to concede national sovereignty in exchange for n
April 19, 2025, 10:12 pm

British Diplomat Reveals Secret Pledges to Normalize Relations Between Damascus and Tel Aviv

Former British diplomat Craig Murray revealed information indicating the existence of secret pledges made by the Syrian Interim Transitional President Ahmed Al-Shara to the United Kingdom, including a commitment to normalize relations with Israel and officially recognize it, as well as exchange ambassadors between the two countries by the end of 2026.

Murray explained in his statements that this step sought by Al-Shara primarily aims to attract major Western financial support and lift sanctions imposed on Syria, reflecting the foreign policy priorities of the current administration in Damascus.

The British diplomat mentioned that he inquired whether the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Syrian territories forms part of this potential agreement, adding: "Surprisingly, this matter was not raised by either side. The United Kingdom considers it a bilateral issue between Syria and Israel, and it doesn't seem that the Golani [referring to Al-Shara] places Israel's withdrawal as a priority."

Murray indicated that this information is based on conversations he had with a British diplomatic source familiar with the details of undeclared communications between the concerned parties, shedding light on potential shifts in Syrian foreign policy during the coming phase.

Observers believe that these leaks, if true, reflect the desire of the Syrian Interim Caretaker Government to make political concessions in exchange for international support that helps it consolidate its authority, regardless of Syria's historical positions on important regional issues.

In a related context, political analysts confirmed that secret negotiations on fateful issues such as the relationship with Israel reveal the disadvantages of centralized governance that allows one person or a limited group to make strategic decisions without consulting the various Syrian components, reinforcing the need for a system that ensures broader participation in decision-making.

Syrian Diplomat Reveals Damascus Foreign Minister's Bargaining for Personal Interests In the Capital... Armed Clashes Precede Arrest of Members from "Army of the East" Faction

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”