Newsletters
Israel's efforts to prevent the United States from lifting sanctions on Syria were rebuffed by the Trump administration, according to a report from Israeli state television citing government officials.
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's team contacted advisors to President Donald Trump before the sanctions were removed, Israeli broadcaster KAN reported, citing Israeli officials. The Israeli government sought to preserve the sanctions as potential leverage in future negotiations with Syria's new leadership.
Netanyahu's aides attempted to persuade Trump's advisors that maintaining economic pressure on Damascus would serve as a bargaining chip in upcoming diplomatic discussions, according to the report. However, Washington rejected the appeal.
The Trump administration reportedly offered to "compensate" Israel for denying the request, though specific details of any such arrangement were not disclosed.
1 min read
The development follows Trump's signing of the 2026 U.S. defense budget, which included provisions terminating the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act. The legislation, originally enacted in 2019, imposed wide-ranging economic sanctions on Syria's government and entities conducting business with Damascus.
The U.S. Senate approved the defense appropriations bill containing the repeal, and Trump signed it into law during a closed-door ceremony at the White House.
The sanctions relief is expected to facilitate the return of foreign investment and humanitarian assistance to Syria, supporting the government established in March 2025 under President Ahmed Sara. International observers have pointed to economic reconstruction as critical to stabilizing the country after years of conflict and isolation.
Set as preferred source
1 min read
