Israel ties Syria normalization to Golan sovereignty

 Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar clarified that Israel’s retention of the Golan Heights is a prerequisite for normalization with Syria.

In an interview with i24 News, Sa’ar stated that Syria’s recognition of Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan is a condition for any future agreement with Syria’s transitional government leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa.

He added, “If Israel is given the opportunity to reach a peace or normalization agreement with Syria while retaining the Golan under our sovereignty, this would be a positive development for the future of Israelis.”

The Israeli channel cited a Syrian source who previously indicated that Israel and Syria would sign a peace agreement before the end of 2025. The source noted that the agreement stipulates a gradual Israeli withdrawal from all Syrian territories occupied after the incursion into the buffer zone on December 8, 2024, including the summit of Mount Hermon.

Sa’ar’s statements coincided with reports from the same channel, quoting an informed Syrian source who predicted full normalization between Damascus and Tel Aviv before the end of 2025.

The source indicated that negotiations are ongoing under the sponsorship of the current U.S. president, with encouragement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a request from President Ahmad al-Sharaa.

According to the source, the agreement includes a gradual Israeli withdrawal from the Syrian territories seized after the December 2024 buffer zone incursion, including Mount Hermon’s summit, with the Golan Heights to be transformed into a “peace park,” though the issue of final sovereignty remains unclear.

 Two days ago, al-Sharaa stated that his country’s authorities are working to halt ongoing Israeli attacks on safe areas in the Quneitra governorate in southwestern Syria.

In a statement issued by the presidential office, al-Sharaa confirmed efforts to stop “Israeli aggressions through indirect negotiations via international mediators.” The statement also noted that al-Sharaa met with notables and elders from the Quneitra governorate and the Golan.

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ANHA