Syrian opposition group to Israel: Next year we celebrate Independence Day in Damascus

The Syrian people are looking forward to establish relations with Israel, says Free Syria Movement​ official.

By YASSER OKBI/ MAARIV HASHAVUA
Mendi Safadi (L) meeting with Syrian opposition leader Dr. Kamal Al-Labwani (photo credit: MENDI SAFADI)
Mendi Safadi (L) meeting with Syrian opposition leader Dr. Kamal Al-Labwani
(photo credit: MENDI SAFADI)
An official from one of the main opposition groups in Syria sent a letter of congratulations to Israel for Independence Day on Thursday.
The Free Syrian Army’s Mousa Ahmed Nabhan said he hoped that next year the day would be marked at the Israeli embassy in Damascus.
Nabhan sent the letter to Mendi Safadi, who served as chief of staff to Druse MK Ayoub Kara (Likud) when the latter was deputy minister for development of the Negev and Galilee. Safadi has independently met with members of the liberal and democratic Syrian opposition who oppose the Islamists and want friendly relations with Israel.
In the letter, shared with The Jerusalem Post’s Hebrew sister publication Ma’ariv, Nabhan wrote: “On behalf of Free Syrian Army, we extend our very best wishes and congratulations to the State of Israel and the great people on the 67th anniversary of the independence of the State of Israel.”
Nabhan said his hope to celebrate with Israel in Damascus next year would come after Syria was “liberated from axis of evil criminals led by Iran through its customers in the region, headed by the criminal Bashar Assad and his Nazi regime, who brought to Syria radical terrorist groups, in order to demonize the revolution and prevent the free world’s sympathy with it, and threatened the security and stability of the region and the world.”
Nabhan, who is responsible for foreign relations of his movement, said he was thankful for the Israeli leadership’s “esteemed humanitarian positions toward the Syrian revolution and its people,” adding that his movement would not forget the state that “stood alongside them in their ordeal and supported their legitimate issues.”
He added that the “overwhelming majority of the Syrian people” is moderate and has been “looking forward for a long time to establish best special relations at all levels with the Israeli neighbors.
“With best wishes to the leadership of the State of Israel and its people for health, happiness, progress and success,” Nabhan concluded.
Ariel Ben Solomon contributed to this report.