The process, overseen by interim leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa, marks a significant milestone in Syria’s post-conflict reconstruction and nation-building efforts.

The new assembly, which will serve a renewable 30-month mandate, is designed to guide Syria through its transitional phase, implementing legislative functions under a temporary constitution while preparing the groundwork for a permanent constitution and future elections.

Sharaa emphasized that the parliament’s formation reflects Syria’s commitment to structured governance and orderly political development after more than 13 years of civil conflict.

“The transitional parliament is a vital step in restoring governance and ensuring that Syria’s future is shaped through participation, accountability, and national priorities,” Sharaa said. “Our goal is stability, inclusion, and creating institutions that serve the Syrian people.”

More than 1,500 candidates registered for the assembly, reflecting a diverse spectrum of professionals, educators, business leaders, and civic-minded citizens. While 14 percent of candidates are women, the process underscores growing opportunities for female participation in Syria’s political life.

Among those running is Syrian-American Henry Hamra, the first Jewish candidate to stand for a Syrian parliamentary seat since the 1940s, highlighting the inclusive and pluralistic approach being encouraged.

Under the transitional rules, Sharaa will appoint 70 representatives, while the remaining two-thirds of the 210-member body will be selected by local committees. These committees, composed of civic leaders and community representatives, ensure that the voices of ordinary Syrians are integrated into governance.

Around 6,000 citizens are participating in the selection process, reflecting widespread engagement and enthusiasm for shaping Syria’s post-conflict political landscape.

Candidates must demonstrate a commitment to Syria’s unity and development, ensuring that the new parliament focuses on constructive legislation, economic recovery, and national reconciliation.

Sharaa and his team have emphasized transparency and integrity, creating an environment where new leaders can emerge and contribute meaningfully to Syria’s governance.

The transitional parliament will play a crucial role in shaping Syria’s economic, social, and international future. Among its priorities are signing and ratifying international agreements, supporting post-conflict reconstruction, and promoting sustainable development.

Candidates such as Hala Al-Qudsi, a member of Damascus’s electoral committee, have expressed dedication to advancing Syria’s national interests while fostering constructive dialogue with regional neighbors.

Efforts are also underway to expand participation over time. Negotiations are ongoing with Kurdish and Druze communities to integrate civil and administrative institutions into the central government, ensuring that more regions can benefit from the transitional process.

Sharaa has stressed that political engagement will continue to broaden as stability returns, laying the foundation for eventual direct elections.

Observers note that this transitional assembly represents a forward-looking approach to governance, emphasizing order, stability, and the creation of capable institutions after years of conflict.

Citizens like Louay Al-Arfi, a retired civil servant in Damascus, have welcomed the initiative as a necessary step toward building trust in political structures and promoting civic participation.

The formation of Syria’s transitional parliament is more than a procedural milestone—it is a symbol of resilience, renewal, and hope. By establishing structured governance, engaging local communities, and empowering a new generation of leaders, Syria is charting a path toward long-term stability and inclusive development.

With ongoing efforts to expand representation, enhance participation, and strengthen institutions, the transitional parliament is set to become a cornerstone of Syria’s revival.

As the nation rebuilds, the assembly provides a platform for constructive governance, demonstrating that even after decades of conflict, Syria is taking meaningful steps toward a stable, prosperous, and united future.

Since the fall of the Assad regime, al-Sharaa has repeatedly stated that Syria does not wish to pose a threat to Israel.

In a potentially game-changing development for the Middle East, Johnnie Moore, a prominent Evangelical pastor and close ally of former U.S. President Donald Trump, has expressed optimism about the prospect of peace between Syria and Israel. Speaking to Reuters following a rare visit to Damascus, Moore stated, “Peace is very possible—perhaps even likely.”

Moore met Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa (also known as Abu Mohammad al-Julani) alongside Rabbi Abraham Cooper of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, a Jewish human rights organization. The delegation, focused on interfaith dialogue and humanitarian cooperation, held talks inside the Syrian presidential palace.

While the topic of Israel was not on the official agenda, Moore revealed that the possibility of peace between the two long-time adversaries came up during discussions. “The top priority,” Moore emphasized, “is that Syria focuses on Syria.” However, he noted that President al-Sharaa also acknowledged the “potential for a very positive future.”

Moore currently chairs the Global Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which oversees aid distribution in Gaza, and also heads the Public Commission at the University of Haifa’s Religion Research Lab. He previously served as a commissioner on the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom.

A Quiet Shift in the Region?

According to the Reuters report, no official response has yet come from President al-Sharaa’s office. However, the tone of the visit suggests a subtle shift in Syria’s regional outlook.

Rabbi Cooper, who has previously visited Gulf states like Bahrain and the UAE before they normalized relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords, described the visit to Damascus as “a walk in the open.” He even noted that he moved freely through the streets of the Syrian capital wearing a Jewish skullcap (kippah)—a striking contrast to his experience in Saudi Arabia last year, where he was asked to remove it by an official, prompting the early end of a U.S. congressional delegation’s visit.

Cooper and Moore, both long-time advocates of Arab-Jewish interfaith dialogue, said they believe President al-Sharaa is capable of advancing peace. Moore described him as a “unicorn” in Middle Eastern politics—a rare figure who could potentially alter the course of regional dynamics.

“There’s a real window of opportunity here,” Cooper said, while cautioning, “but that doesn’t reduce the size of the task ahead.”

The duo reportedly suggested launching grassroots humanitarian initiatives to “break stereotypes and create an informal corps of goodwill ambassadors,” though they declined to elaborate on specifics.

They also met with members of Syria’s Christian community during their visit, further emphasizing the mission’s interfaith character.

Secret Syria-Israel Channel?

The backdrop to this visit is a recent report claiming that the United Arab Emirates helped establish a secret communication channel between Syria and Israel at President al-Sharaa’s request. These backchannel talks reportedly focus on intelligence-sharing and security cooperation, with the broader aim of trust-building.

According to sources cited by Reuters, Damascus sees Abu Dhabi’s Abraham Accords with Israel as a potential framework for resolving long-standing issues—particularly since Syria and Israel currently lack direct diplomatic ties.

Since the fall of the Assad regime, al-Sharaa has repeatedly stated that Syria does not wish to pose a threat to Israel. In fact, his administration has taken the unprecedented step of detaining senior Islamic Jihad figures believed to be linked to the October 7 massacre.

A letter sent last month by Syria’s Foreign Ministry to the U.S. State Department, obtained by Reuters, declared: “We will not allow Syria to become a source of threat to any country—including Israel.”

However, not all observers are convinced. Senior Israeli officials remain wary, accusing al-Sharaa of deceiving the international community. “Behind the suit and diplomatic gestures lies a dangerous vision for an Islamist regime just as threatening as the previous one,” one Israeli intelligence source warned.

Trump’s Quiet Diplomacy?

The report also noted that President Trump held a private meeting with al-Sharaa last month, though details remain undisclosed. This adds weight to the growing speculation that informal diplomacy—possibly brokered by Trump allies—could be laying the groundwork for a future peace accord between Syria and Israel.

For now, the road remains uncertain, but voices like Moore and Cooper suggest that, amid the ruins of conflict and mistrust, a new horizon may be emerging—one where Syria and Israel could chart a path toward reconciliation.