Netanyahu softens stance after Trump’s public rebuke? Israel PM signals openness to Syria deal

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has shifted his rhetoric toward a more conciliatory stance on potential Israel-Syria ties after President Donald Trump publicly urged Israel to maintain direct dialogue with Damascus and avoid actions that could destabilize the region. The move follows Trump's stern warning that Israel should “sustain a strong and genuine conversation with Syria” and not interfere with Syria’s transition under new leadership, President Ahmed al-Sharaa. Netanyahu responded by affirming Israel's commitment to defending its northern borders from terrorist threats and by signaling openness to a security agreement with Syria—conditional on demilitarized zones and ongoing defense of Israel’s interests and allied communities.