Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa met with Ronald Lauder, president of the World Jewish Congress, during Sharaa's visit to the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Sunday, according to the Syrian News Channel.
The Syrian News Channel reported that Lauder is of Syrian descent and has been actively involved in Syrian-Israeli negotiations since the 1990s.
The meeting reportedly centered around more recent Syrian-Israeli diplomacy, as officials from both nations are in the process of working together toward a security agreement.
According to the United States envoy to Syria, an agreement is expected to be reached soon.
Sharaa was the first Syrian leader to attend and speak at the UNGA since 1967. During his speech on September 24, Sharaa announced that he is “committed to dialogue” with the leadership of other nations.
According to YNet, Sharaa met with members of the Syrian Jewish community in New York on September 21. Attendees of the event reported that Israel was not mentioned.