Israel is making a risky bet by seeking normalization with Syria and Lebanon without offering concessions on the Golan Heights. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar on Monday expressed Israel’s interest in formal ties but firmly stated the Golan remains non-negotiable, a position directly challenged by Syria’s demand for its return.
This diplomatic overture comes as Israeli leaders argue that Iran’s perceived weakening after this month’s 12-day war presents an opportunity for other countries in the region to forge ties with Israel. The Middle East has been upended by nearly two years of war in Gaza, Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon targeting Hezbollah, and the overthrow of former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad.
Saar emphasized Israel’s desire to expand its “circle of peace,” while safeguarding its “essential and security interests.” This push for broader regional ties aligns with the 2020 Abraham Accords, which saw the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco normalize relations with Israel, though these agreements were deeply unpopular in the Arab world.
However, a senior Syrian official, speaking anonymously, firmly stated that normalization efforts must be part of the comprehensive 2002 Arab Peace Initiative. This initiative calls for full Arab recognition of Israel in exchange for its complete withdrawal from occupied territories, including the Golan Heights, West Bank, and Gaza, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. Israel’s Foreign Minister, however, deemed conditioning normalization on Palestinian statehood “not constructive” and a threat to Israel’s security, illustrating the deep ideological chasm and the inherent risk in Israel’s current diplomatic approach.
