Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Two journalists martyred, one critically injured in an Israeli strike on the al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in central Gaza City
Al Mayadeen correspondent: US vetoes UNSC draft resolution that would have demanded ceasefire in Gaza, lifting of restrictions on aid.
Reports of explosions at Hama military airport in Syria
Shamkhani to Al Mayadeen: There is no mention of lifting sanctions in the latest US proposal, even though this issue is fundamental for Iran
Ali Shamkhani, political advisor to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution and the Islamic Republic of Iran, to Al Mayadeen: After receiving the American proposal, we are now preparing our new proposal
Shamkhani to Al Mayadeen: Iran will never give up its inherent rights
Iranian Defense Minister to Al Mayadeen: Israeli threats to Iran are just pointless nonsense
Iranian Defense Minister to Al Mayadeen: Those who actually possess the power and ability to threaten Iran do not speak as such; they are simply incapable of doing so
Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh to Al Mayadeen: Iran possesses enough power to render 'Israel' incapable of threatening it
Hezbollah chief Sheikh Naim Qassem after meeting with Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi emphasized the importance of Iran’s positive role in the region and its support for the Palestinian Resistance and its people

Calls to expel Israeli journalist, reject Netanyahu’s plan: Syria

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 24 Feb 2025 13:45
  • 1 Shares
3 Min Read

Israeli journalist Itai Anghel, whose past reporting has included interviews with militants from various factions, including ISIS, has drawn anger for his ties to Israeli media outlets and his controversial access to Syrian territory.

Listen
  • x
  • Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, visits Israeli occupation forces in a buffer zone inside Syria, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (Israel Government Press Office via AP)
    Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, visits Israeli occupation forces in a buffer zone inside Syria, on Tuesday, December 17, 2024. (AP)

In a mounting wave of public outrage, Syrians are demanding the expulsion of Israeli journalist Itai Anghel, who entered Damascus to "film a documentary on post-Assad Syria".

Anghel, whose past reporting has included interviews with militants from various factions, including ISIS, has drawn anger for his ties to Israeli media outlets and his controversial access to Syrian territory.

pic.twitter.com/fwZuB1lGxv

— Itai Anghel (@itaianghel) February 23, 2025

This latest development has prompted calls for a government investigation into how such access was granted.

This demand coincides with widespread protests erupting across Syria in response to remarks made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In his statement, Netanyahu called on the new Syrian government to withdraw its forces from southern Damascus and voiced concern for the Druze community in the region.

Syrians are expected to rally in several cities, including Daraa and Suwayda, to reject Netanyahu’s interventionist comments and to oppose any efforts to divide the country.

Israeli media reveals Netanyahu’s motives for disarming southern Syria

Related News

New Syrian group claims Golan strike, vows resistance to 'Israel'

ISIS key threat, attacks targeting Shiias, Christians foiled: Damascus

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for the full demilitarization of southern Syria, citing escalating security concerns over the presence of "hostile forces near Israel’s borders," Israel Hayom reported.

On his part, Israel Hayom's diplomatic analyst Ariel Kahana argued that Netanyahu's demand, which focuses on the provinces of Quneitra, Daraa, and Suwayda, is driven by fears that "internal sectarian tensions and deep-seated hostility toward Israel" could spiral into renewed instability, despite the current fragile calm in Syria.

One of "Israel’s" primary fears, Kahana said, is the uncertain authority of Syria’s new leadership under Ahmad al-Sharaa.

"He may not intend to attack Israel, but it is unclear whether he can maintain firm control over Syria for long," he stressed.

If "anti-Israel militias" emerge along the border, "it’s uncertain whether he will act against them—or even want to," Kahana further added.

Turkiye’s influence and Israeli countermeasures

A second key concern, the report suggested, is Turkiye’s growing influence in Syria. It describes Syria as effectively becoming a "protectorate" of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose hostility toward "Israel is well-documented". The Israeli newspaper recalls Erdogan’s previous statements, warning that "one day, his forces will confront Israel."

To preempt such a scenario, "Israel" appears intent on enforcing a "buffer zone" in the region, as per the report.

"Israel wants to disarm an area where such a conflict could unfold," the report noted, warning of potential Turkish-backed militias forming a "hostile bloc challenging Israel."

The report also suggested that Netanyahu is presenting himself as a protector of minority groups, particularly the Druze, claiming that "Israel fosters healthy civil relations with them."

With Netanyahu making disarmament a central demand, attention now turns to how the "Syrian-Turkish authority" will respond, Kahana concludes.

Read next: 'Israel', Turkiye expand influence in post-Assad Syria: Bloomberg

  • Syria
  • ISIS
  • Benjamin Netanyahu
  • Israeli occupation
  • Itai Anghel

Most Read

Lebanon's PM Nawaf Salam meets with US envoy Morgan Ortagus in Beirut on April 5, 2025 (Dalati Nohra via AP)AP)

Morgan Ortagus to exit US role in Lebanon amid policy shift

  • Politics
  • 1 Jun 2025
Spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, announces a new operation against Ben Gurion Airport on May 29, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen announces successful hypersonic missile strike on Ben Gurion

  • Politics
  • 30 May 2025
It may well be due to the longstanding relationship between MI6 and HTS, via Inter Mediate, that Britain was the first Western country to recognise their assumption of government in Syria. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Zeinab El-Hajj)

How MI6 helped HTS seize Syria

  • Opinion
  • 31 May 2025
An Israeli army vehicle moves in the Gaza Strip as seen from southern occupied Palestine, Thursday, May 29, 2025 (AP)

Hamas rejects Witkoff ceasefire plan, says alters terms

  • Politics
  • 29 May 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Patrice Lumumba: The national hero of the DR Congo
Politics

Patrice Lumumba: The national hero of the DR Congo

A Palestinian woman mourns as she embraces the body of her daughter Mayar Abu Odeh, 8, who was killed in an Israeli army strike on Gaza. at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (AP)
Politics

French port workers block arms shipment to 'Israel' amid Gaza genocide

AP
Politics

Shas party backs Knesset dissolution, Netanyahu's coalition at risk

The head of the Council of Ministers, Dr. Nawaf Salam, received a delegation from the Loyalty to the Resistance bloc at the Grand Serail.  (@grandserail)
Politics

Hezbollah bloc, PM Salam discuss reconstruction, national unity

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS