Israel moves to double Golan heights population amid ongoing Syrian tensions

On Sunday, Israel announced plans to double its population on the occupied Golan Heights. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that the move is crucial for strengthening Israel, especially with continuing threats from Syria. The announcement comes despite the moderate stance of rebel leaders who ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad just a week ago.

Israel captured most of the Golan Heights during the 1967 Six-Day War and annexed it in 1981. While the U.S. supported Israel’s sovereignty in 2019, the annexation remains unrecognized by most countries. Syria demands Israel’s withdrawal, citing its territorial claim, but Israel refuses, citing security concerns. Several peace efforts over the years have failed.

Netanyahu spoke with former U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday regarding Syria’s security situation. He stated that Israel’s actions in Syria aim to thwart potential threats and prevent terrorist groups from taking control near its border. Defense Minister Israel Katz echoed these concerns, saying the latest developments in Syria increase Israel’s security risks.

The Israeli government has approved a 40-million-shekel ($11 million) plan to encourage settlement and demographic growth in the Golan, with a goal to double the population. This decision comes amid the war in Syria and concerns about security along the northern border.

Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE condemned Israel’s decision. The UAE, which normalized relations with Israel in 2020, described the move as a “deliberate effort to expand the occupation.” Around 31,000 Israelis currently live in the Golan, many working in agriculture and tourism. The region is also home to 24,000 Druze, an Arab minority that identifies as Syrian.

Despite these tensions, Syria’s rebel leader Ahmad al-Sharaa stated that Syria is not interested in new confrontations. He emphasized the country’s need for reconstruction after years of war. Sharaa, who leads the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, expressed a preference for diplomatic solutions rather than military escalation.

Meanwhile, Israel’s military operations in Syria, including strikes on weapons stockpiles, aim to prevent weapons from falling into rebel hands. Israel has entered a demilitarized zone in Syria, but insists its presence is temporary, focused on ensuring border security.