Video of Shaar’s speech about Syrian-Turkish relations gone viral as declaring normalization with Israel

A video clip of a speech by Syria’s transitional president, Ahmad al-Shaar’, has been circulating on Facebook, with claims that he expresses his willingness to cooperate with Israel. The video includes the following claim: “The Syrian president expresses his complete willingness to cooperate with Israel… Shaar’ announces his desire to normalize relations with Israel, with some shame.” 

Kashif verified the video via Google Images search and keyword search. It was found to be truncated and the claim misleading. Al-Shaar’ spoke about Syrian-Turkish relations, not Israel, during a press conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. 

Kashif’s team reviewed the full speech of Ahmad al-Sharaa, head of the transitional phase in Syria, during the joint press conference he held with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara. The speech, which was published by Al-Arabiya News on YouTube on 4/2/025, was broadcast. It was found that al-Shaar’ spoke about the Syrian-Turkish plans and the nature of the relationship that unites them. 

Al-Shaar’ mentioned what happened during the meeting between him and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, saying: “During the meeting, we consulted about the threats that prevent the completion of Syrian territorial unity in northeastern Syria. We also discussed the need for international pressure on Israel to withdraw from the buffer zone in southern Syria and implement the 1974 agreement. We expressed our full readiness on our part, and at the same time, we will enhance trade exchange and investment companies between the two countries, especially in the field of infrastructure reconstruction, in order to achieve economic recovery and establish a better development future.” 

Based on the full text and the context of the speech, it is clear that Al-Shaar’intended in his sentence, “We will enhance trade exchange and investment companies between the two countries,” both Syria and Turkey, not Syria and the occupying state. However, the fallacy occurred because the sentence followed his discussion of what he and his Turkish counterpart had agreed upon regarding “the need for international pressure on Israel to withdraw from the buffer zone in southern Syria and implement the 1974 agreement.”

Al-Shaar’  had affirmed in December 2024 that Syria was not about to enter into a conflict with Israel, emphasizing that the top priority at this stage was to rebuild Syria and achieve stability after years of war and destruction. He emphasized that diplomatic solutions were the only way to ensure security and stability, “away from any ill-considered military adventures.”