al-Julani said the IDF’s ground incursions into Syria ‘threaten unjustified escalation in the region.’
By Vered Weiss, World Israel News
Although Syrian rebel leader Abu Mohammad al-Julani has made conciliatory remarks about not wanting conflict with neighboring countries, including Israel, there is some
indication that he is envisioning “a Greater Syria,” according to Israel HaYom.
The peaceful talk may be an attempt to put his Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham group in a positive light.
On Syria TV, a station operating out of Turkey, he said, “We must transition from a revolutionary mentality to a state-oriented mentality to govern Syria.”
Some of al-Julani’s statements have given hope that the new Syrian government may have good relations with Israel.
Regarding Israel, al-Julani said the current situation “does not allow for entering new conflicts.”
He added, “The priority at this stage is reconstruction and stability, not getting dragged into conflicts that could lead to further destruction.”
The world may be prepared to see Al-Julani, formerly a member of ISIS and Al-Qaeda with a $10 million US bounty on his head, as a reformed man of peace.
However, al-Julani has made other statements taking a less charitable view of Israel.
He said, “Israel’s claims [about attacks in Syria] have weakened and no longer justify its recent violations.”
He said the IDF’s ground incursions into Syria “threaten unjustified escalation in the region.”
al-Julani criticized “Israeli aggression” and claimed it violated the 1974 ceasefire agreement.
He also called for “firm and immediate measures” to get Israel out of Syria.
This implies, contrary to his previous statements, that Syria will be in conflict with Israel if the IDF doesn’t withdraw from its positions in Syria or if it continues to target military infrastructure.
Dr. Yehuda Balanga in Israel HaYom believes that al-Julani may be aiming for a “Greater Syria” with Lebanon, Jordan, and Israel.
Syrian rebels can be heard yelling that their next stop is Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem, and al-Julani’s name is an alias meaning “from the Golan.”