Palestine–Syria relations

Syrian–Palestinian relations refers to the official relations between Syria and Palestine. Palestine has an embassy in Damascus, but Syria has no official representative office in Palestine.

Palestinian-Syrian relations

Syria
Palestine

History

Two countries share a strong historical bond between two countries, as both were together used to be under Phoenicians,[1] and later subjected by various occupations and wars, spanned from the Persian Empire, Roman Empire, Arabs, Crusaders and the Ottoman Empire.[2] However, in 20th century, Syria and Palestine would be later carved and divided between France and the British Empire, and this would remain until the end of World War II.

Modern relations

Syria soon announced its complete support to Palestine after the 1948 Arab–Israeli War broke out, and had sent troops to fight against newly-formed Israel Defense Forces, but it failed to change the tie, and later also failed to get a peace talk.[3] Since then, with the influx of Palestinian refugees to Syria, relationship between Syria and Palestine became very complex, while mainly brotherly, also share significant differences.

Syria also joined the Six-Day War hoping to expel Israeli Army in order to restore Palestinian state, in which ended with a complete failure. This failed war drastically and radically changed Syrian and Palestinian society. For Syrians, the failure damaged their reputation, and subsequently created further mistrusts despite still maintaining good relationship.[4]

Hafez al-Assad was known for his hostility towards Yasser Arafat and Faisal Husseini, with attempts to divide the Palestinian leadership.[5]

Syrian Civil War

The Syrian Civil War created divisions among Palestinians over the Assad regime in Syria.

Despite this level of hostility Palestinian towards the PLO caused by the Hafez al-Assad Government in the past, Bashar al-Assad however still gained popular support among Palestinians due to his pro-Palestinian rhetoric speeches.[6] Some Palestinians had held rallies in support to majority Assad Government.[7]

Some Palestinians have accused Assad for his torture and murder of Palestinians,[8] and recently, the demolition of Palestinian refugee camps in Syria, notably in Yarmouk.[9] Assad was further accused for his ongoing rape and torture of Palestinians despite protests from Palestinian community.[10]

Palestinians in Syria

There were over more than 500.000 Palestinians in Syria, mostly refugees, before the outbreak of Syrian Civil War.[11]

See also

References
  1. "What was Historical Syria and Phoenicia? Is there confusion?". phoenicia.org.
  2. "HISTORY OF SYRIA AND PALESTINE". www.historyworld.net.
  3. "Lost Opportunities for Peace in the Arab-Israeli Conflict: Israel and Syria, 1948-2001". Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs.
  4. Bowen, Jeremy (5 June 2017). "1967 war: Six days that changed the Middle East" – via www.bbc.com.
  5. "Palestinians and the Assad regime: for history and generations to know". Middle East Monitor. 8 July 2014.
  6. "Bashar Al_Assad - THE PALESTINIAN CAUSE". www.presidentassad.net.
  7. Inlakesh, Robert (27 February 2018). "VIDEO: Palestinians in Jerusalem praise Bashar al-Assad".
  8. "Monitoring Group: Over 35 Female Palestinian-Syrians Killed under Torture in Assad Prisons". Syrian National Coalition Of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces.
  9. Sanchez, Raf (26 April 2018). "Palestinian refugee camp in Syria turns 'unimaginably brutal' as Assad regime drives Isil out of Yarmouk" – via www.telegraph.co.uk.
  10. "'Assad regime tortured, electrocuted and raped Palestinian detainees'". Middle East Monitor. 14 January 2019.
  11. "Palestine Refugees in Syria: A Recurring Tragedy". The Elders. 25 November 2015.
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