Syria Hails US Sanctions Relief as Golden Opportunity for Recovery

(FILES) People walk past a billboard displaying portraits of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and US President Donald Trump with a slogan thanking Saudi Arabia and the United States, in Damascus on May 14, 2025. (Photo by LOUAI BESHARA / AFP)
(FILES) People walk past a billboard displaying portraits of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and US President Donald Trump with a slogan thanking Saudi Arabia and the United States, in Damascus on May 14, 2025. (Photo by LOUAI BESHARA / AFP)
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Syria Hails US Sanctions Relief as Golden Opportunity for Recovery

(FILES) People walk past a billboard displaying portraits of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and US President Donald Trump with a slogan thanking Saudi Arabia and the United States, in Damascus on May 14, 2025. (Photo by LOUAI BESHARA / AFP)
(FILES) People walk past a billboard displaying portraits of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and US President Donald Trump with a slogan thanking Saudi Arabia and the United States, in Damascus on May 14, 2025. (Photo by LOUAI BESHARA / AFP)

Syrians across public and private sectors welcomed Washington’s decision to officially lift economic sanctions on Syria, a move hailed by the foreign ministry as a “positive step in the right direction” politically and seen by analysts as a signal of an economic turning point after 14 years of conflict and collapse.

In a statement, Syria’s foreign ministry praised the US government’s decision to remove long-standing sanctions on the country and its people, calling it a gesture that could help ease the humanitarian and economic suffering endured for over a decade.

“This is a positive step toward alleviating the country’s humanitarian and economic burden,” the ministry said, expressing gratitude to “all the countries, institutions and peoples who stood by Syria.”

The ministry added that the coming phase would focus on rebuilding what it described as the destruction left by the “former regime,” and on restoring Syria’s rightful place in the region and the world.

Analysts viewed the move as a potential turning point, with some describing it as the beginning of an “unprecedented golden era” for Syria’s economy following years of war, international isolation and domestic collapse.

A delegation of American investors is expected to visit Syria next month, Syrian businessman and head of the Damascus Chamber of Commerce Issam al-Ghraywati told Asharq Al-Awsat, signalling growing international interest in the country’s post-sanctions recovery.

“Investment opportunities in Syria are significant, particularly in technology and reconstruction, which is estimated at over $400 billion. That translates into years of job creation,” Ghraywati said, noting an uptick in visits from investor delegations, especially from Gulf countries and the Syrian diaspora.

Ghraywati, a Syrian-American entrepreneur who returned to Syria after the fall of the Assad regime while his family and business interests remain in Los Angeles, said US President Donald Trump’s use of executive authority to freeze sanctions could pave the way for their full abolishment through congressional approval.

He described Washington’s move as a “major opportunity” that could usher in an “unprecedented golden era” for Syria’s economy, including the reopening of foreign embassies, the return of international banks and businesses, and renewed engagement from Arab and foreign investors.

Ghraywati also pointed to the potential involvement of the World Bank in backing investment and rebuilding efforts.

“This creates a competitive free-market environment, generates jobs, brings down consumer prices, and ensures the availability of production inputs and goods,” he said.

Expressing confidence in Syria’s new leadership, Ghraywati called the return of expatriate investors a “national duty.”

The decision to lift US sanctions on Syria for a limited period is a tactical move within a broader American strategy aimed at reshaping regional dynamics, according to Abdul Hamid Tawfiq, head of the Al-Nahda Center for Research and Studies in Damascus.

Tawfiq said the temporary but comprehensive sanctions relief could enable Syria to distance itself from Iran’s influence in the Middle East, scale back Russian involvement in the country, and limit economic cooperation with China, all developments that align with US strategic interests.

“This step is a calculated tactical measure within the framework of Washington’s upcoming regional strategy,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat.

“It opens the door for Syria to break away from the Iranian project, reduce Russia’s current and future role, and slow down its growing economic ties with China.”

He added that the US move also aligns with Turkish objectives, noting that Ankara sees even symbolic stability in Syrian-American relations as a potential boost to its own regional interests.



‘No One Dares’ … First Palestinian Response to Israeli Plan to Separate Hebron from PA

Israeli security forces stand guard as Israeli settlers tour in the Palestinian side of the old city and market of Hebron in the occupied West Bank on July 5, 2025. (Photo by HAZEM BADER / AFP)
Israeli security forces stand guard as Israeli settlers tour in the Palestinian side of the old city and market of Hebron in the occupied West Bank on July 5, 2025. (Photo by HAZEM BADER / AFP)
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‘No One Dares’ … First Palestinian Response to Israeli Plan to Separate Hebron from PA

Israeli security forces stand guard as Israeli settlers tour in the Palestinian side of the old city and market of Hebron in the occupied West Bank on July 5, 2025. (Photo by HAZEM BADER / AFP)
Israeli security forces stand guard as Israeli settlers tour in the Palestinian side of the old city and market of Hebron in the occupied West Bank on July 5, 2025. (Photo by HAZEM BADER / AFP)

A report published by The Wall Street Journal, and promoted by Israeli media on Sunday, has renewed focus on an Israeli plan dating back more than 60 years aimed at pushing for the creation of “emirates” or entities independent from the Palestinian Authority (PA).

The report focused on the Palestinian city of Hebron, and cited what it claimed were “21 tribal elders from Hebron,” who allegedly sent a letter in Hebrew to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling for negotiations with them to join the Abraham Accords and consequently abandon the “two-state solution,” which Palestinians rely on to establish their state.

However, a Palestinian security source, in remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, said: “What is happening is yet another Israeli attempt to weaken the Palestinian Authority.”

“This is a failed plan,” he said: “No one here would dare take this step and say: I am the spy... I am the alternative to the Authority ... Those who tried that are known and represent no one.”

Reportedly, the elders included a detailed proposed timetable for talks to join the Abraham Accords and for “a fair and decent arrangement that would replace the Oslo Accords, which only brought damage, death, economic disaster and destruction.”

According to The Wall Street Journal, the initiative was helmed by Wadee al-Jaabari, who local city residents and its political leadership claim is unknown to them, and backed by "four other leading Hebron sheikhs.”

Palestinian city residents, including Jaabari's extended family members, condemned the proposal, saying that its authors do not represent them.

Israeli sources said that Economy Minister Nir Barkat stands behind the letter, which was allegedly sent to him. Barkat met at his home with al-Jaabari and the other sheikhs; he has held more than 12 meetings with them since February, The Wall Street Journal said. They asked him to forward the letter to Netanyahu and are now waiting for his response.

The sheikhs reportedly proposed that Israel grant work permits to 1,000 workers from Hebron on a trial basis, and then extend this to another 5,000.

According to Maariv newspaper, the Israeli government is “seeking to promote this plan to destroy the Palestinian Authority and the establishment of a Palestinian state.”