Syriac Union Party and Syriac Women’s Union founding member organization of National Levantine Council announced in Daramsuq on Wednesday

DARAMSUQ — A group of Syrian Christian political parties and organizations — including members of the Syriac Union Party (SUP) and the Syriac Women’s Union (SWU) — announced the formation of the National Levantine Council, a new political and civic body aimed at representing Christian voices in Syria’s future.

Organizers say the initiative seeks to unify Christian efforts toward political engagement, cultural preservation, and national participation amid a shifting post-conflict landscape.

“It has become a necessity to establish this council,” said Jamil al-Ghaith, a founding member. “It is a Christian demand — and a national one — to say: we are here, we are rooted in this land, and we are part of its future.” Al-Ghaith emphasized the Council’s commitment to unity and sovereignty, adding, “We will stand together to shape Syria according to the will of its people, under a national umbrella.”

Fellow founder Waddah al-Khoury described the council as a platform for dialogue with all segments of Syrian society. “We envision this as one of the spaces where Syrians of all backgrounds can engage and contribute to a redefined Syria — unified, secure, and inclusive,” he said. Al-Khoury noted that preparations are underway for a founding conference, with a date to be announced soon.

The creation of the Council is being framed as a turning point for Christian political organization in Syria. “This is a historic beginning for our community,” said Ephraim Ishak, another co-founder. “We are a group of committed Christians seeking to serve and uplift the broader Christian population in Syria.”

Ibtisam Fadoul, a co-founder and member of the HNB, underscored the need for unity. “We need this Council as a launching point — to bring together Christians from all denominations under one shared vision,” she said. “Our goal is to contribute to building a new Syria that respects diversity and protects everyone’s rights.”

According to the founding declaration, the National Levantine Council aims to advocate for Syrian Christians’ religious, cultural, and civil rights. It also seeks to preserve their identity, language, and heritage, while contributing to a broader vision of equal citizenship and national reconciliation.

The Council’s formation comes at a time when minority communities in Syria are reassessing their role in the country’s political and social future, amid ongoing uncertainty and attempts at reconstruction and dialogue.