UN to Israel: Golan Heights Are Occupied Syrian Land
Damascus (Quds News Network)- The United Nations reiterated on Tuesday that the Golan Heights is Syrian territory occupied by Israel since 1967. The organization urged respect for Syria’s sovereignty and condemned any violation of its territorial integrity.
Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, stated, “We continue to regard the Golan Heights as occupied territory.” He emphasized the UN’s opposition to any actions undermining Syria’s territorial unity.
The remarks followed Israel’s recent incursion into southern Syria, an escalation that comes amid significant changes in the region. “Neighbors should not exploit Syria’s current turning point to encroach on its land,” Dujarric said, referencing recent events in Syria.
The UN also highlighted breaches of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement between Israel and Syria. This agreement established a buffer zone and prohibited military activities in the area. Dujarric confirmed that Israeli forces remain stationed in three locations within the zone, violating the agreement.
The UN peacekeeping force (UNDOF), tasked with monitoring the buffer zone, reported these violations to Israeli authorities. Dujarric stressed, “There should be no military presence or activities in the separation zone.”
Israel occupied the Golan Heights during the 1967 war and later annexed the area with Donald Trump’s blessing during his presidency, a move never recognized internationally. The UN reaffirmed its stance against this annexation and called on Israel to respect international law.
On Sunday, the Israeli army declared “closed military zones” in the occupied Golan Heights and infiltrated into some Syrian cities. This followed the sudden collapse of the Assad regime by Syrian rebels.
He described Israel’s relationship with the UN as “complex.” Despite this, the UN’s political, humanitarian, and peacekeeping channels “remain open” with Israel.
After the Israeli incursion into Syrian territories, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that “the Golan Heights will forever be an inseparable part of the State of Israel.”
