As a community dedicated to peace, democracy and human rights, J Street welcomes the fall of the Assad regime, which has been responsible for decades of immeasurable suffering and brutal repression of millions of people.
The collapse of the regime is, first and foremost, a historic moment for the Syrian people. Our hope is that it marks the final chapter of a long and painful war which, over more than 13 years, has killed hundreds of thousands of civilians and displaced millions from their homes, communities and country. We support calls for Bashar al-Assad and others in his regime to face accountability for violating international human rights law for committing grave abuses against the Syrian people.
We also know that the collapse of the regime marks an important and precarious moment for the safety of Israel. Significantly, the removal of Assad delivers a blow to Iran and Hezbollah, which relied on Syria as a vital supply route to the terrorist group. At the same time, abrupt changes in government are incredibly unpredictable and can lead to regional instability, violence, and suffering. We recognize the threat this instability can pose to Israel and its people – and to civilians across the region.
We call upon all actors, including Israel, the United States, and key regional and international stakeholders to play a constructive role in ensuring this historic moment turns into a success story of peace and security, rather than one of war and chaos.