Ahmed al-Sharaa (al-Julani), the interim president of Syria and former leader of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group once designated as a terrorist organisation linked to al-Qaeda, made his first major European visit on 7 May since assuming office in January 2025. His arrival in Paris to meet French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace has drawn not only diplomatic attention but also public backlash, particularly from the Druze diaspora community who staged protests condemning his government’s record on minority rights, sectarian violence, and mass atrocities.
France, with its deep historical entanglement in Syria dating back to its colonial mandate in the 20th century, remains one of the most influential Western powers shaping Syrian affairs. French officials, led by Macron, carefully prepared this visit in advance, viewing it as a critical step toward relaxing European Union and United States sanctions and advancing diplomatic efforts for regional peace. Macron warmly welcomed al-Sharaa, expressing public support for the eight-point agreement reached between Sharaa and Mazloum Abdi, commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on behalf of Kurdish-led autonomy in northeast Syria (Rojava). Macron stressed that the successful implementation of this accord is vital not only for Syria’s political future but also for European security and stability.
At a joint press conference, Sharaa revealed that indirect negotiations with Israel, mediated by the United Arab Emirates, were ongoing to ease tensions and avoid escalations.
“We are engaging through intermediaries to stabilise the region and prevent loss of control,” Sharaa stated, highlighting parallel discussions with international stakeholders aiming to press Israel for diplomatic flexibility.
However, his Paris visit has been met with strong criticism. Protesters from the Druze diaspora gathered outside the Élysée Palace, chanting slogans such as “Hey Julani, you have nothing to do with us. Take your dogs and leave us,” denouncing the Syrian government’s failure to protect minority communities, especially in the face of rising violence against Druze and Alawite populations. Last month, human rights groups reported that over 2,000 Alawite civilians were killed in coordinated attacks widely described as a pogrom carried out by HTS-affiliated units linked to Turkey, further fuelling outrage. Critics also pointed to Sharaa’s publicised tour of Paris landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower, calling such displays insensitive amid Syria’s ongoing humanitarian crises.
🚨”Hey Julani, you have nothing to do with us. Take your dogs and leave us.”🚨
Video of the protest organized by the Syrian Druze community against Jolani in France #syria #france pic.twitter.com/VsA69MJuQn— Niv Calderon (@nivcalderon) May 7, 2025
Protesters from the Druze diaspora gathered outside the Élysée Palace, chanting slogans such as “Hey Julani, you have nothing to do with us. Take your dogs and leave us,” denouncing the Syrian government’s failure to protect minority communities
Diplomatic shifts are accelerating on multiple fronts. Reports from Israeli and international media suggest that confidential direct contacts between Syrian and Israeli officials have been underway since Sharaa’s April visit to the UAE. While these early discussions focus on security and intelligence cooperation, they hint at a potential reshaping of the region’s political landscape.
Adding to the complex diplomatic web, Turkey and Israel are reportedly preparing to meet in Baku, Azerbaijan, under Azerbaijani mediation, to ease tensions sparked by recent Israeli military activities in the Golan Heights and southern Syria. This follows a heavy conflict last month between Israel and Turkey in Syria’s southern region, with Israel perceiving Turkey’s involvement in the regime-building efforts of the new Syrian government as a direct national security threat. France, capitalising on its historical role, is positioning itself as a key Western broker in this fluid and delicate diplomatic environment.
Meanwhile, the United States has set clear conditions for the al-Sharaa administration:
Washington has granted the Syrian interim government a three-month window to expel all foreign fighters and terrorist elements, to uphold religious and ethnic tolerance within Syria, and to establish peaceful relations with neighbouring countries, particularly Israel.
Failure to meet these conditions, US officials warn, will mean Washington will withhold formal diplomatic recognition of Sharaa’s administration.
Despite Sharaa’s pledges of transitional justice and accountability for past atrocities, human rights organisations remain deeply sceptical. They caution that unless the Syrian government undertakes genuine reforms to protect minority communities and uphold human rights, recent diplomatic openings may prove short-lived and fragile, ultimately perpetuating cycles of violence and repression.
