Al-Jolani: Zionist Israel’s Newest Best Friend

Ayman Ahmed

Muharram 06, 1447 2025-07-01

News & Analysis

by Ayman Ahmed (News & Analysis, Crescent International Vol. 55, No. 5, Muharram, 1447)

Al-Qaeda-terrorist-turned president of Syria, Abu Mohammad al-Jolani is the newest best friend of zionist Israel. And of Donald Trump, the orange orangutan that currently occupies the White House. Trump even met Al-Jolani during his visit to Riyadh in mid-May. The meeting confirmed that Al-Qaeda was, and remains, an American enterprise to destabilize governments opposed to imperialism and zionism.

Mr. Al-Jolani earned praise from Trump. When the enemy of Muslims praises a Muslim ruler, rest assured that such an individual is a puppet of the west and is working to advance their agenda. He assured Trump that no weapons will be allowed to transit through Syria to reach Hizbullah. He also vowed to normalize relations with the zionist entity.

Within weeks of this pledge to Trump, news of Al-Jolani’s embrace of the zionist war criminals came from Tel Aviv. Israel’s National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi confirmed on June 24 that the zionist regime was engaged in direct, daily communication with Syria’s interim authorities. The aim was to explore normalization and Syria under Al-Jolani to become the latest member of the Abraham Accords (read surrender to zionist Israel).

Why Al-Jolani would want to embrace the zionist war criminals at a time when they were busy attacking Iran and continuing the massacre of hapless Palestinians in Gaza is not hard to fathom. It also emerged that Al-Jolani had assured the visiting US Congressman Marlin Stutzman last month that he was “open to peace with Israel” and did not insist on an Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Golan Heights.

Israeli war planes regularly bomb Syrian military and industrial sites including an attack on Damascus close to Al-Jolani’s palace, yet he is keen to make “peace with Israel”. Hanegbi, who is leading the face-to-face negotiations with Syria, also made clear that any Israeli withdrawal from occupied buffer zones in Syria would be subject to “final arrangements”. He insisted, however, that Tel Aviv “will not withdraw from the Syrian [Mount] Hermon [Jabal Al-Shaykh].”

For the former head of the head-choppers, that is perfectly fine as long as he is allowed to stay in power in Damascus. Al-Jolani has concluded that zionist Israel is the pre-eminent regional power. Keeping it happy will enable him to stay in power.

There are two problems with this assessment. First, the world witnessed the crushing defeat Islamic Iran inflicted upon the zionist war-criminals in the 12-day imposed war. This was the first time in Israel’s history that it had suffered such a defeat. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu had to beg for peace using his links with the rulers of Qatar as well as Trump.

Second, Al-Jolani has no mandate from the people to barter away Syrian territory in order to be allowed to stay in power. Besides, the zionist entity may be reaching the end of its shelf life. Prior to its illegal and unprovoked attack on Islamic Iran on June 13, more than a million Israelis had already fled the country amid the zionists’ ongoing genocide in Gaza.

These were IT professionals, scientists and highly skilled people in other professions for whom there is demand in different countries. Most of them are dual nationals, so settling in another country is not difficult for them.

During the 12-day Israeli initiated and imposed war, the Islamic Republic inflicted punishing blows on the zionist entity. Another exodus of people is underway. People are fleeing the country in boats because the Tel Aviv regime has stopped all flights from Ben Gurion airport due to missile strikes. The airport has since opened but restrictions on Israelis living by air remain in place.

What this points to is that the zionist entity is teetering on the brink. It may not last too long. So, for Al-Jolani to hitch his future to a sinking entity is a losing proposition.

In Syria itself, there is total chaos. On June 22, there was an attack on Mar Elias Church in Damascus in which 25 people were killed during evening service. A gun man entered the church and started shooting at worshippers. He then detonated an explosive vest he was wearing. The Syrian Interior Ministry blamed ISIS for the attack though another group called Saraya Ansar al-Sunna later claimed responsibility. But wasn’t Al-Jolani a member of the terrorist outfit, ISIS?

While Al-Jolani and his henchmen grapple with the fallout from the church attack, his regime has launched a crackdown on Palestinian factions. Members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine – General Command (PFLP–GC) have been arrested and their assets seized. Presumably, this is Al-Jolani’s contribution to the ‘liberation of Palestine’.

Al-Jolani has stated that “Syria and Israel share common enemies”. It is easy to identify who Israel’s enemies are: Islamic Iran, Hizbullah, Hamas, Palestine Islamic Jihad and the Ansarallah in Yemen. From his statements, it is clear that Al-Jolani considers these as his enemies as well. Muslims can draw their own conclusion from this.

The Damascus church slaughter followed a similar attack on the village of Al-Rusafa where unarmed men were systematically taken from their homes and executed. Four children and two women were also killed.

Between March 6 and 10, 2025, across Syria’s coast, a massacre was perpetrated resulting in over 1,500 deaths. Those killed were Alawites, a minority sect in Syria. True, the trouble started when remnants of the old regime attacked some police stations but the reprisals targeted ordinary people. Militias linked to the new regime were actively involved in dragging people from their homes and shooting them in the streets.

The regime has ordered an inquiry into the killings but the victims have little hope of justice. They do not believe the regime will punish its own operatives on whose support it depends for survival.

Syria’s plight can be summed up as follows: chaos at home and surrender to the zionists and imperialists abroad.