United States signals policy divergence from Israel regarding Syria

United States special envoy Tom Barrack has signaled a diplomatic rift with Israel concerning the status of Suwayda, a majority Druze governorate in southern Syria where the central government lacks full control.

Barrack’s recent comments regarding a prominent Druze leader, believed to be Hikmat al-Hijri, are interpreted as a message to Israel. While Israel has been accused of attempting to curry favor with the Druze community and supporting the National Guard—a group with alleged separatist ambitions—the United States appears to be prioritizing stability and an agreement with the new Syrian leadership under Ahmed al-Sharaa.

Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, the U.S. has worked to rebuild relations with Damascus. Analysts suggest that while Israel maintains its own security demands and regional interests, Washington is focused on preventing instability in a country attempting to rebuild after 13 years of war.