Rep. Wilson Blasts Israel’s ‘Suicidal’ Syria Strikes as Mockery of Trump’s Diplomacy

In a striking and rare public criticism, Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., has unleashed a scathing rebuke of Israel’s recent airstrikes on Syria, calling them ‘suicidal’ for Tel Aviv and a direct affront to President Donald Trump’s diplomatic efforts. As a staunch supporter of Israel, Wilson expressed deep anguish over the military actions targeting Syria’s military headquarters, actions that come on the heels of Trump’s decision to lift sanctions on Damascus in a bid to foster economic stability post-Bashar al-Assad.

Wilson didn’t hold back during an emotional conversation, emphasizing that these strikes are not just a tactical misstep but a strategic disaster. He argued that they undermine delicate back-channel talks for normalization between Israel and Syria, and jeopardize broader regional peace initiatives like the U.S.-brokered Abraham Accords with Saudi Arabia. ‘It’s heartbreaking,’ he lamented, pointing to the potential ripple effects—fractures in Syria that could destabilize ties with Turkey, Jordan, and beyond, while opening the door for an ISIS resurgence targeting Israel first.

The congressman also highlighted the geopolitical fallout, warning that the strikes play directly into the hands of Iran and bolster Russia’s foothold in Syria. ‘This chaos benefits Tehran and Moscow,’ he asserted, noting that destabilization creates fertile ground for Iran to further unsettle Iraq and for Putin to expand naval influence across the Mediterranean and Africa.

Adding fuel to the fire, Israel’s National Security Minister Ben Gvir called for the elimination of Syria’s new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, while Defense Minister Israel Katz defended the strikes as protection for the Druze minority in Syria, alleging Damascus’s complicity in attacks on them. Wilson dismissed these justifications as ‘contrived’, insisting the real enemy remains Tehran, not Damascus. ‘If you can’t identify the head of the snake, you’re inviting catastrophe,’ he warned, suggesting that such missteps could allow Iran to rebuild proxies like Hamas and Hezbollah.

Meanwhile, Syria’s leadership accused Israel of exploiting the Druze issue to sow discord, as sectarian clashes threaten the nation’s fragile unity. The Trump administration has stepped in, urging de-escalation and direct dialogue between Israel and Damascus, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio labeling the situation ‘troubling and horrifying.’

As tensions mount, the question looms: will Israel heed these warnings, or are we witnessing the prelude to a broader regional unraveling?