A bipartisan group of senior US senators on Thursday called on Israel to stop bombing Syria and “seize the moment,” after they returned from a visit to Damascus.
The delegation included the top-ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Jeanne Shaheen, as well as influential Republican Senator Joni Ernst and Congressman Joe Wilson, who is the co-chair of the Israel caucus.
“The message was clear: Syria needs a chance to succeed and move past the violence and strife that consumed the country for over 14 years. Last night’s destabilizing strikes on Syria by Israel make that goal more difficult to achieve,” the letter read.
Israel bombed targets outside Damascus multiple times this week, killing at least six Syrian soldiers, according to state television. On Wednesday night, more Israeli attacks targeted another site near the Syrian capital.
The US lawmakers met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, cabinet ministers, and Syrians from different backgrounds and religions.
According to the US lawmakers, Syria is prepared to move forward with Israel to advance peace, but warned, “It is unclear how long the door to this opportunity will remain open.”
They added: “We call on Israel to seize the moment and immediately cease hostilities so the progress made by Syrians and Special Envoy Barrack can continue. A stable and secure Syria is the only path toward freedom from Iran’s reach and containment of the ISIS threat.”
Agencies
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