In Syrien ändert sich das Bild von Israel

“If the Syrian army was like the Israeli army, no one would have been displaced from their home,” another commentator, from Daraa, wrote. “If [Tamimi] had raised her head in front of a Syrian soldier, he would have field executed her.”

Solche und ähnliche Äußerunge bekam Elizabeth Tsurkov von syrischen Oppositionellen und Rebellen zu hören, während sie für einen Artikel über das veränderte Israelbild vieler Syrer recherchierte, die, das Israel nicht nur das einzige Land ist, das immer wieder Stellungen des Assad-Regimes, verbündeter Hizbollah Milizen und iranischer Truppen bombardierte, sondern auch Verwundeten seit Jahren medizinische Hilfe leistet,

Und doch stieß sie auch immer wieder auf für den Nahen Osten leider so symptomatischen Verschwörungstheorien:

At the same time, even Syrians expressing admiration for Israel are quick to believe conspiracy theories about its motivations, plans and actions. Activists and rebels in southern Syria have accused Israel of foiling numerous offensive operations against the Assad regime, even operations during which Israel aided the rebels, such as the failed attempt to prevent the capture of besieged Beit Jinn by regime forces.

During a research trip to southern Turkey, I was peppered with questions from activists, rebel and community leaders about why Israel supports the Assad regime and prevents his removal. Although no evidence exists publicly to support this claim, many pro-opposition Syrians believe that Israel convinced the Obama administration to keep Assad in power because Assad kept the border quiet with Israel, despite the occupation of the Golan.

Trotzdem kommt sie zu einem vergelichsweise optimistischen Schluss:

The marked shift in Syrian public opinion toward Israel demonstrates that Arab public opinion is malleable and can be affected by aid efforts and regional realignments. However, as the Assad regime, with significant support from its foreign backers, regains control of Syria, it is unclear how this goodwill toward Israel among Syrian civilians will manifest in the future. The personal opinions of the Syrians, whether they are refugees or become docile subjects of Syria’s police state, are unlikely to matter as long as the Baath regime remains in power.