The Syrian president extends a peace offer to Israel during the first speech of the Unga in six decades

Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa marked history in the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, delivering a speech that marked the first time in nearly six decades that a Syrian leader addressed the World Organization. His appearance in New York has attracted thousands of Syrian supporters who met outside the UN headquarters, celebrating what they have described as a new chapter for their country torn apart by the war and urging US President Donald Trump to support Syria’s reintegration into the international community.

The time has brought a special weight for the Syrians abroad, many of which fled during the country’s 14 years in the country. They agitated flags, brought banners and chanted calls for peace and reconstruction. For them, the sight of a Syrian president welcomed to the UN was both symbolic and deeply personal.

Hamza Mustafa, Syrian Minister of Information, joined the demonstration and told Fox News Digital that it was an emotional day. “It is a historical moment for all the Syrian people-after 14 years of conflict, after the revolution, after many sacrifices, we now represent the Syrian people here,” he said. “We meet with the Syrian people to say that we are all serious in our struggle for united and sovereign Syria.”

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Syria president Ahmad al-Sharaa speaks at the United Nations General Assembly (Unga) at the United Nations on September 24, 2025 in New York. (Michael M. Santiago / Getty Images)

Mustafa also thanked the Trump administration for the stages to facilitate the sanctions, saying: “As a government, we say thank you to Mr. Trump for his courage to raise sanctions to Syria.”

In his United Nations speech, President Al-Sharaa called to raise sanctions, committing to pursuing “a new Syria based on unity, sovereignty and peace with its neighbors”. He said that the conflict had brought “incalculable suffering” and stressed that “the Syrians deserve the right to rebuild their lives, their homes and their country”.

The Syrian Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management, Raad Saleh, addressed reports from a security agreement to the United States to be stopped with Israel, saying to Fox News Digital: “It is a political decision, and we leave our president to make this decision. But the Syrians no longer seek conflict – Syrians only seek reconstruction and reconstruction.”

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President Donald Trump (left) and Syrian acting president Ahmad al-Sharaa. (Chris Kleponis / CNP / Bloomberg via Getty Images; Mehmet Ali Ozcan / Anadolu via Getty Images)

The issues are raised: Israel has carried out dozens of strikes across Syria in recent months, targeting what those responsible have been supported by Iran, arms deposits and positions near the Israeli border. Israeli officials have led operations both as a warning to the new management of Syria and a decision to protect vulnerable minorities such as the Druze, which faced attacks and massacres under the government of Al-Sharaa.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who will speak to Unga on Friday, said in a statement that any agreement “subordinate to the guarantee of Israel’s interests”, including “demilitarization of Southwest Syria and the safeguard of the Druze”.

The rally outside the UN was organized by Dr. Hicham Alnachawati, who stressed that the new Syrian leadership wanted peace – including with Israel.

“It is a historic moment for us as Syrians. We have not seen president pronounce such a speech to the UN for over 57 years,” said Alnachawati. “We hope that this message of peace and prosperity will encourage other world leaders, and in particular President Trump, to support the lifting of the remaining sanctions so that we can rebuild a new Syria.”

Alnachawati went further, directly connecting the future of Syria to regional reconciliation. “We have sent a message of peace to establish relations with our neighbors, in particular Israel,” he said. “Let us extend the Abraham agreements here – this is an opportunity for the Trump administration to direct a peace process. The Israelis are looking for the same thing, and Syrians are ready for peace, reconstruction and development.”

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A view of damage to the siege of the Syrian staff and to the nearby buildings following Israeli air strikes targeting the capital Damascus, Syria, July 17, 2025. (Izettin Kasim / Anadolu via Getty Images)

The past of Al-Sharaa as a sought-after terrorist has aroused strong criticism from Western officials. Asked about this, Alnachawati replied that people could change, citing American general David Petraeus, who previously suggested that Sharaa had the capacity to evolve into a statesman.

“I listened to Petraeus and he said that he saw this man as having hope to change,” said Alnachawati. “He wants to unite Syria, realize peace in the region and reflect this peace worldwide. Syrians are ready to recover, live a normal life like any other citizen and extend their hands for peace.”

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For many Syrians who have resettled in the United States, the day was particularly poignant. Shadi Martini, CEO of the Multifish Alliance and a Syrian who fled at the start of the war and Personally met the president al-Sharaa In Syria, a few months ago, told Fox News Digital: “It has probably been 50 or 60 years that a Syrian president has come to the UN, it is therefore very historic and emotional for many Syrian Americans to see. President Sharaa has been welcomed by many foreign presidents and dignitaries, and I hope there will also be a meeting with President Trump.”