FIRST ON FOX – In a rare appearance at Israel’s parliament this week, Syrian political activist Shadi Martini shared a message from Damascus – one he says came directly from Syria’s transitional President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

“We have an opportunity like this only once in a hundred years,” Martini quoted al-Sharaa as saying in a recent meeting held in the presidential palace. “The window will not remain open forever.”

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Martini, the CEO of Multifaith Alliance and longtime advocate for humanitarian cooperation between Syrians and Israelis, said the conversation with al-Sharaa focused on potential normalization and regional security – but also revealed points of friction.

He also confirmed that President al-Sharaa knew his message might be conveyed in Israel. “It wasn’t off the record. It was honest and accurate – and the message was, ‘Act now.’”

“So whatever we can do in diplomacy, I think we should do discreetly – and then surprise people. We worked for three years on the Abraham Accords, and then all of a sudden we surprised people with four peace treaties. And I think more are coming.”

Martini stressed that al-Sharra said some issues remain unresolved. “There’s Gaza, there’s the need for a ceasefire, and a pathway to a Palestinian state,” he said. “And from Syria’s side, there’s the issue of the Golan Heights. But the first and most important step is returning to the 1974 armistice line.”

Martini acknowledged that calls for peace with Israel remain controversial in Damascus. “But more Syrians now understand this is what Syria needs.”

According to Martini, Israeli lawmakers responded positively. “I felt they were genuinely listening,” he said. “And I hope that having a message come directly from Syria will help clarify things.”