The Syrian People’s Overthrow of Assad Rekindles Hope In A Better Future In The Middle East [WASHINGTON D.C., DECEMBER 09, 2024] – American Muslims for Palestine (AMP) applauds the Syrian people’s historic overthrow of Bashar Al-Assad, marking the end of a despotic regime that ruled through violence, corruption, and repression. This moment is a testament to the unyielding courage of the Syrian people, who have endured relentless suffering in pursuit of freedom and dignity. It also serves as an example for all people worldwide: no matter how long it takes, justice will prevail over injustice, and people will overcome their oppressors. The removal of Assad, however, comes with significant challenges as the future of Syria and its leadership remains uncertain. AMP urges for a fair, transparent, inclusive, and democratic process supervised by the United Nations to decide the future of Syria’s leadership. The coming weeks and months will be vital for Syria’s stability, and AMP cautions against actions that may lead to instability and urges the international community to prioritize inclusive governance and the protection of human rights as Syria navigates this critical juncture.  This pivotal moment also casts a spotlight on Israel’s continued illegal annexation of the Golan Heights, an act that violates international law and United Nations Security Council Resolutions. Since its occupation of the Golan Heights in 1967, Israel has expanded settlements and exploited the land’s natural resources, uprooting Syrian communities in a manner emblematic of its broader settler-colonial agenda. The recent annexation of additional lands in the Golan Heights underscores Israel’s pattern of territorial theft, enabled by uncritical U.S. political and military support. “While the Syrian people celebrate the fall of a tyrant, their land remains fragmented and under siege by external forces,” said Dr. Osama Abuirshaid, Executive Director of AMP. “Israel’s continued occupation and annexation of the Golan Heights highlight the global community’s failure to hold settler colonial regimes accountable. This moment demands a united stand against such violations of sovereignty and human rights.” The liberation of Sednaya Prison, long a symbol of Assad’s cruelty, further emphasizes the gravity of this victory. Thousands of political prisoners, including women and children, suffered unimaginable abuses in Sednaya, where torture and extrajudicial killings were routine. As Syrians return to their homeland, they must focus on rebuilding a nation rooted in justice, accountability, and self-determination. AMP draws critical parallels between the Syrian struggle and the ongoing plight of the Palestinian people. Just as Syrians resist the legacy of dictatorship and occupation, Palestinians endure Israel’s genocide, apartheid regime, military aggression, and land theft. Both peoples confront systems of oppression designed to deny them their fundamental rights, and both require unwavering international solidarity. “The international community must recognize that the fight for justice in Syria and Palestine is deeply interconnected,” Dr. Abuirshaid continued. “The same forces that allow Israel to expand settlements in the Golan Heights are those that shield its broader apartheid policies against Palestinians. Silence and inaction are forms of complicity.” AMP calls on the Biden administration to recognize the will of the people in Syria and to respect Syria's territorial integrity and sovereignty. Additionally, AMP calls on members of Congress to demand an end to U.S. complicity in human rights violations across the region. Specifically, AMP urges lawmakers to ensure that U.S. military aid to Israel does not support the annexation of the Golan Heights or the expansion of settlements in other occupied territories. These actions violate international law and undermine the principles of freedom and justice that the U.S. claims to uphold. The fall of Assad represents a moment of hope for a battered nation, but it also serves as a reminder of the work that remains to achieve lasting peace and sovereignty. AMP stands in solidarity with all oppressed peoples, including Syrians and Palestinians, in their pursuit of freedom and justice. In solidarity,
American Muslims for Palestine (AMP) | 
