Jerusalem: Israel announced plans on Sunday to double its population on the occupied Golan Heights, citing ongoing security threats from Syria despite the recent ousting of President Bashar al-Assad by rebel forces.
“Strengthening the Golan is strengthening the State of Israel, and it is especially important at this time. We will continue to hold onto it, cause it to blossom, and settle in it,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement.
Israeli forces patrolled inside a recently-seized demilitarized zone along the border with Syria as Tel Aviv announced plans to double the number of Israelis living in the part of the Golan Heights Israel captured from Syria in 1967 https://t.co/cQv6wx3pmg pic.twitter.com/q0FiAHssAY
— Reuters (@Reuters) December 15, 2024
Golan Heights: A Strategic Plateau
Israel captured much of the Golan Heights from Syria during the 1967 Six-Day War, formally annexing the territory in 1981. While the annexation has been recognized by the United States under former President Donald Trump in 2019, most of the international community, including Syria, rejects Israel’s claim. Syria has repeatedly called for Israel’s withdrawal, but Israel has refused, citing security concerns.
Netanyahu highlighted the strategic significance of the Golan during a conversation with Trump over the weekend. “We have no interest in a conflict with Syria,” he said, emphasizing that Israeli actions aim to prevent threats from Syria and block terrorist activity near its border.
A Population Growth Plan Amid Security Concerns
Israel’s government unanimously approved a 40-million-shekel ($11 million) plan to boost demographic growth in the Golan. Netanyahu described the move as a response to “the war and the new front facing Syria.” Currently, around 31,000 Israelis live in the region, alongside 24,000 Druze residents, many of whom still identify as Syrian.
Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that the developments in Syria posed a heightened threat to Israel. “Despite the moderate image that the rebel leaders claim to present, the risks to Israel have only increased,” he stated.
Syrian Leadership Responds
Ahmad al-Sharaa, the de facto Syrian leader and head of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group that ousted Assad, accused Israel of using false pretexts to justify attacks on Syria. However, he emphasized the need for reconstruction over confrontation.
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“Syria’s war-weary condition does not allow for new confrontations. The priority is reconstruction and stability, not disputes leading to further destruction,” Sharaa said in an interview with Syria TV. He also called for diplomatic solutions to ensure long-term security.
Arab Nations Condemn Israel’s Actions
Israel’s decision to expand its population on the Golan Heights and its temporary incursion into a demilitarized zone inside Syria have drawn criticism from Arab nations. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE condemned the plans, with the UAE describing them as a “deliberate effort to expand the occupation.”
Israel has defended its actions as necessary for border security and has carried out airstrikes targeting Syrian military stockpiles to prevent weapons from falling into the hands of groups linked to al-Qaeda or ISIS.
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As the region remains tense, the focus for Syria, according to Sharaa, remains on rebuilding a war-torn nation while avoiding further destabilization.
