{
  "id": 9227407,
  "title": "Al-Sharaa: October 7 cannot dictate Israel's Syria policy, talks reached 90% agreement",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/al-sharaa-october-7-cannot-dictate-israels-syria-policy-talks-reached",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-23T00:32:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-909365"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa stated on Tuesday night that the October 7 massacre in Israel should not dictate the country's policy toward Syria. During a panel discussion at the Atlantic Council in New York, al-Sharaa revealed that negotiations between Syria and Israel had reached nearly 90% agreement. Speaking about direct talks with Israel, the Golan Heights, Israeli security concerns, and his past involvement with al-Qaeda, al-Sharaa emphasized that Israel's current security policy was worsening tensions rather than reducing them. He also criticized Israeli military actions inside Syria, questioning their effectiveness in ensuring Israeli security. Al-Sharaa highlighted the success of Syria's relationships with the United States, Britain, Gulf states, Iraq, and Lebanon, contrasting them with the strained relations with Israel. He outlined a phased process for resolving the conflict, stating that Israel must first withdraw from territories gained after the fall of Bashar Assad's regime and return to positions from the 1974 disengagement agreement. Only then could discussions about security arrangements and the possibility of lasting peace commence.",
  "summary": "Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said Israel must change its security approach, revealed that direct talks have been underway for nearly a year, and insisted on returning to the 1974 border lines.",
  "key_points": [
    "October 7 massacre should not dictate Israel's Syria policy, says Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa",
    "Syria and Israel reached 90% agreement in negotiations during Atlantic Council panel",
    "Al-Sharaa criticizes Israeli military actions in Syria, calls for territorial withdrawal"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa's comments signal a potential shift in Syria's approach to Israel, suggesting a pathway to peace through phased withdrawal and security arrangements.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Arutz Sheva - Israel National News",
        "title": "Syrian President: It is not possible for October 7 to dictate Israel’s policies",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/syrian-president-it-is-not-possible-for-october-7-to-dictate-israels",
        "published": "2026-09-22T23:18:14.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Times of Israel",
        "title": "‘The problem is with Israel, not us’: Syrian leader says Oct. 7 shouldn’t dictate Israeli policy",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/the-problem-is-with-israel-not-us-syrian-leader-says-oct-7-shouldnt",
        "published": "2026-09-23T01:43:48.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Haaretz",
        "title": "Syrian president: Israeli policy on Syria endangers regional security",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/syrian-president-israeli-policy-on-syria-endangers-regional-security",
        "published": "2026-09-23T01:51:02.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}