Macron’s Damascus Visit: A Warning for Israel’s Northern Strategy
French President Emmanuel Macron touched down in Damascus on July 6, marking the first visit by a French head of state to Syria since 2009. For Israel, this is not just a diplomatic photo op. It is a stark reminder that the international community is racing to embrace a regime that Jerusalem views as a direct threat.
Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa, whom Israeli officials consistently refuse to call by his name—preferring the rebel-era moniker “Jolani”—is being courted by Paris as a partner for stability. Macron’s visit, announced on X, was framed as a commitment to “a sovereign Syria that is united in its pluralism and at peace with its neighbors.” But for those watching from Jerusalem, the message is clear: France is betting on a leader Israel considers a jihadist.
Israel has taken an aggressive stance toward the new Syrian government. Officials in Jerusalem have repeatedly labeled Sharaa a jihadist, refusing to legitimize his rule. This hardline approach stands in sharp contrast to the European and American strategy of engagement. While the United States and European nations see Sharaa as a potential partner for reconstruction and stability, Israel views him as a proxy for Turkish influence—a growing adversary in Ankara.
“The visit reflects the transition of Syrian-French relations into a new phase based on mutual respect and an equal partnership,” Syrian state media SANA reported. But for Israel, this “equal partnership” raises alarms. France, the historic colonial power in Syria, is now positioning itself as a key player in the Eastern Mediterranean, a region where Israel has long sought to limit foreign influence.
Syria’s foreign minister, Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, welcomed Macron at the airport, signaling a new era of cooperation. Sharaa himself told French television that France had played a constructive role in supporting the lifting of sanctions on Syria. “We are building state institutions in Syria and establishing numerous partnerships, including in aviation, tourism, agriculture, and industry,” Sharaa said. “France will contribute to infrastructure, industry, the financial sector, and institutional restructuring.”
These are not empty words. Large-scale projects, energy deals, and institutional reforms are on the table. For Israel, this is a strategic red flag. The more Syria rebuilds with Western backing, the stronger its hand becomes against Israeli interests. And with Sharaa expected to travel to Turkey for the NATO summit, the alignment between Ankara and Damascus is becoming more explicit by the day.
Israel’s preference has always been to keep France on the sidelines of regional affairs. But Macron’s visit proves that Paris is not stepping back. It is stepping in. For Jerusalem, the challenge is clear: how to counter a rising Syrian regime that is gaining legitimacy from Europe while maintaining its own security demands on the northern border.
As the Jewish people have learned throughout history, a nation that does not guard its borders will lose them. Israel must remain vigilant. The international community may see Sharaa as a reformer, but Israel knows the truth: a wolf in sheep’s clothing is still a wolf.