- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on December 10 that the Golan Heights will remain under Israeli sovereignty permanently, a move expected to strain relations with neighboring countries and escalate tensions in the Middle East.
- The strategic plateau, captured by Israel during the 1967 Six-Day War, is considered vital to Israel's security. However, the international community, including the United Nations, views Israel's occupation as illegal under international law.
- Syria, Iran, and Hezbollah condemned the declaration, with Damascus calling it a "blatant violation of international law." The UN reiterated its stance that the Golan Heights remain "occupied Syrian territory" and urged Israel to respect international law.
- Netanyahu's government plans to expand settlements and invest in infrastructure in the Golan Heights, signaling a long-term commitment to Israeli control and development of the territory.
- While some countries, including the United States, support Israel's position, others call for stronger international action to prevent further escalation and uphold territorial integrity in the region.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has officially declared the Golan Heights to be a part of the Jewish state forever, a move expected to further strain relations with neighboring countries and stoke tensions in the Middle East.
The announcement, made during a high-profile event Monday, Dec. 9, marks a significant shift in Tel Aviv's stance on the disputed territory and has drawn sharp criticism from regional powers and international observers. It also followed the fall of the Syrian government under Bashar al-Assad, who has since escaped to Russia.
The Golan Heights, a strategic plateau located between Israel and Syria, has been under Israeli control since the Six-Day War in 1967. While Israel has long considered the region vital to its security, the international community, including the United Nations, has consistently maintained that the occupation is illegal under international law. Netanyahu's declaration, however, signals a definitive end to any lingering ambiguity about Israel's intentions regarding the territory.
"The Golan Heights will remain under Israeli sovereignty forever," Netanyahu stated during the event, which was attended by senior government officials and military leaders. "This is not just a strategic necessity for Israel, but a moral imperative. The Golan Heights are part of our homeland, and we will never relinquish them."
The announcement comes at a time of heightened tensions in the region, with Syria still reeling from years of civil war and ongoing efforts by the international community to broker a lasting peace. Critics argue that Netanyahu's declaration not only undermines these efforts but also risks provoking a backlash from Syria and its allies, including Iran and Hezbollah. (Related: Israel continues to unleash hell on Earth, with 250 new airstrikes across Syria.)
Damascus, which has long demanded the return of the Golan Heights, swiftly condemned the Israeli move. In a statement released shortly after Netanyahu's announcement, the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates called the declaration a "blatant violation of international law" and urged the international community to take immediate action to reverse the decision.
"Israel's illegal occupation of the Golan Heights has been a source of instability in the region for decades," the statement read. "This latest provocation is a clear attempt to undermine any possibility of peace and dialogue in the Middle East."
UN: Israel's occupation of Golan Heights is ILLEGAL
The UN, which has consistently upheld the principle of territorial integrity in the region, also expressed concern over Netanyahu's declaration. A spokesman for the organization said Monday, Dec. 9, that Israel's occupation of the Golan Heights is a "violation" of the 1974 disengagement agreement between Tel Aviv and Damascus.
"The UN remains committed to the full implementation of Security Council Resolution 497, which reaffirms the illegality of Israel's decision to impose its laws, jurisdiction and administration on the occupied Golan Heights," the spokesperson said.
Despite the international outcry, Netanyahu has shown no signs of backing down. In fact, his government has indicated that it plans to take further steps to solidify Israel's control over the Golan Heights, including the expansion of settlements and increased investment in infrastructure.
"We are not just talking about maintaining the status quo," Netanyahu said. "We are talking about building a future for the Golan Heights, a future where Israelis and Syrians can live together in peace and prosperity."
According to Netanyahu, Israel's control of the territory "ensures our security and sovereignty." Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar also echoed the prime minister's sentiments. Saar said on Monday that Tel Aviv's takeover of the buffer zone in the Golan Heights was "a limited and temporary step we took for security reasons."
While some countries, including the United States, have expressed support for Israel's position, others have called for a more robust response to prevent further escalation. But one thing is clear: Netanyahu's declaration has set the stage for a new chapter in the long and contentious history of the region.
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Watch this clip of Benjamin Netanyahu suggesting that a new Israeli settlement in the Golan Heights be named after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.
This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.
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