On Independence Day, moderate Syrian rebels send warm wishes

From Times of Israel
Along with warm words from world leaders on the occasion of its 67th year of independence, the Israeli government also received on Thursday a surprise letter of congratulations from an unexpected source.

The Free Syrian Army, a moderate Syrian opposition group sidelined in recent months by stronger Islamist rebels, sent Israel’s leadership a message expressing hope that next year’s independence celebrations will also take place in an Israeli embassy in Damascus.

“We congratulate the powerful state of Israel and its people on its anniversary of independence, and we hope that next year we can participate in the joy of the grand occasion in Israel’s embassy in Damascus,” the group’s foreign affairs official Mousa Ahmed Nabhan stated in the message.

Israel has never had diplomatic relations with Syria. However, the FSA has been vocal in asking for Israeli support for their campaign against the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad, with officials even traveling to Israel.
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