A recent public statement by former U.S. President Donald Trump lauding Abu Mohammad al-Julani, the head of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has added a new layer of complexity to the already volatile dynamics in the Middle East. The comment, in which the Syrian militant commander was described as young, tough, and possessing the potential to “fix things,” has sparked intense debate among counterterrorism officials, Israeli policymakers, and regional analysts. The episode brings renewed attention not only to Syria’s persistent civil war, but also to the broader context of Iranian-backed terrorism threatening Israel and the entire region.
Lede: The Who, What, Where, When, and Why
On [date of statement/event], coverage emerged that a former U.S. president made a public statement about Abu Mohammad al-Julani, leader of the designated terror organization Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, while discussing Syrian affairs. The comments, circulated via Hebrew-language and international press, were met with surprise and criticism from Israeli government officials and security analysts. The episode is the latest in a series of diplomatic incidents forcing allies and observers to confront the realities of the Syrian war—a conflict marked by the entrenchment of Iranian proxies, the proliferation of jihadist groups, and the very real security risks facing the State of Israel.
Background: The Syrian Quagmire and Profile of HTS
Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) is a dominant armed faction in northwest Syria, formed from the remnants of the al-Nusra Front, an offshoot of al-Qaeda. Although HTS continues to claim it has severed ties with al-Qaeda, counterterrorism agencies and the United Nations list it as a terror group. Since 2011, Syria’s civil war has killed hundreds of thousands and displaced millions. The conflict’s power vacuum has enabled Iran to deepen its military presence in Syria, principally through the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Hezbollah, and a constellation of Shiite militias.
For Israel, this Iranian foothold—coupled with the transfer of advanced weaponry to Hezbollah—constitutes a direct and existential threat. Syria’s border with Israel, long an arena of relative stability, has in the past decade become a front for incursions and rocket attacks by Iranian-backed forces and jihadist organizations alike. Israel’s military leadership, under Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, maintains a policy of preemptive and defensive action to prevent the buildup of hostile forces close to its territory.
Julani’s Rise and Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham’s Role
Abu Mohammad al-Julani, born Ahmad Hussein al-Shara, emerged as a significant jihadist leader both during the U.S. Iraq campaign and afterward in the Syrian civil war. Under his command, HTS has consolidated control over large swaths of Idlib Province, at times engaging in tactical cooperation or conflict with other insurgent groups and with Turkey’s regional interests. While HTS has repeatedly attempted to rebrand itself as a “national” Syrian movement and position itself as a pragmatic local actor, reports from Western and Israeli intelligence underscore its continued commitment to violent jihad, its imposition of strict social codes, and its involvement in attacks on both civilian and opposition targets.
U.S.-Israel Counterterror Coordination and Strategic Context
Throughout the Syrian conflict, the United States and Israel have worked closely to blunt Iranian expansionism and to counter the proliferation of terror organizations such as HTS, Hezbollah, and al-Qaeda affiliates. The U.S. has led sanctions and designated leaders like Julani as Specially Designated Global Terrorists. Israeli forces have conducted targeted strikes against Iranian and proxy targets within Syria, citing a doctrine of preemptive self-defense.
The destabilizing effect of jihadist groups, even those at odds with Iranian-backed forces, is a matter of continuous concern for Israel. The October 7, 2023 massacre—perpetrated by the Iranian-backed Hamas terror group and recognized as the deadliest antisemitic atrocity since the Holocaust—remains a stark reminder of the risks faced by Israel, not just from organized state-backed armies, but from networks of terrorist fighters throughout the region.
Diplomatic Ramifications and the Danger of Ambiguous Messages
Trump’s favorable description of Julani was rapidly criticized by both American and Israeli officials. Analysts warn that statements which appear to confer legitimacy on groups like HTS undermine the global effort to isolate and dismantle anti-Israel and anti-Western terrorist organizations. Israeli defense officials stress that, regardless of shifting alliances or strategic calculations in Syria’s patchwork war, there can be no tolerance for terror entities whose philosophies and tactics include executions, abductions, and the targeting of civilians.
The Lessons of Regional Proxy Warfare
The “axis of resistance,” constructed and funded by Iran, now bestrides Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, and Yemen. This network encompasses groups varying in ideology and tactics, but united in their opposition to both Western presence and the State of Israel. In this context, Israeli doctrine remains clear: no distinction is made among terror organizations threatening Israeli lives, whether operating under Sunni jihadist or Shiite revolutionary banners.
Israel continues to adapt its security strategy, leveraging intelligence sharing with the United States, deploying advanced defense technologies such as Iron Dome, and, when necessary, engaging in direct military action. The government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with the backing of Defense Minister Israel Katz, has emphasized time and again that only a resolute stand against all forms of terrorism—rooted in historical truth and moral clarity—can safeguard Israel and its population.
Implications for the Future
The shifting positions and rhetoric of global leaders toward actors in the Syrian conflict have tangible effects on regional security. As Israel faces down a spectrum of threats from Iranian-backed armies to independent jihadist factions, its insistence on moral and legal clarity will continue to inform its policies and alliances. The October 7 massacre and subsequent hostilities have further crystallized public resolve, both in Israel and among its key partners, to reject any move that could be read as normalizing or justifying terrorist entities.
Conclusion: Moral Clarity and Historical Responsibility
As debate continues over remarks that elevate figures such as Julani, the fundamental distinction remains as important as ever: Israel is a democracy forced to defend itself against a spectrum of non-state actors determined to perpetuate antisemitic violence and regional instability. Terror must never be sanitized, minimized, or legitimized by political calculation. Instead, responsible policy—grounded in facts and historical understanding—must underpin the global fight against those who threaten Israel’s security, the broader Middle East, and the free world.
