Lawmakers split on whether Trump should have tied Syria sanctions relief to Israel normalization

Lawmakers are divided on whether the Trump administration should have conditioned the lifting of sanctions on Syria in June 2025 on steps toward normalizing relations with Israel. While some, like Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA) and Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL), believe Washington "should be urging" Damascus to improve ties with Jerusalem in exchange for relief, others, including Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD), prioritize a stable and non-terrorist-supporting Syria as a "worthwhile objective."

• Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX) and Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) deferred to the White House's diplomatic strategy, with Burchett stating, "I'd prefer they normalize relations with Israel, but I mean that fight has been going on since before the time of Christ."
• Foreign policy experts, such as Michael Koplow of the Israel Policy Forum and John Hannah of the Jewish Institute for National Security of America, argue that normalization between Israel and Syria is not currently realistic due to complex territorial and political issues, including the Golan Heights.
• However, Hannah noted that Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa has shown "no interest whatsoever in fighting with Israel" and has taken steps toward Jerusalem, including authorizing direct Israel-Syria negotiations under U.S. auspices for a new security agreement.
• Analysts warn about ongoing extremism within Syrian leadership and the government's ties to Turkey, raising questions about whether the U.S. surrendered economic leverage too cheaply without demanding more from al-Sharaa regarding internal reforms and minority rights.