London VCA News Special Report :__ Saudi Arabia has sharply criticized Israel's latest decision to expand settlements in the occupied Golan Heights, a territory captured from Syria during the 1967 Six-Day War. The Israeli government announced plans to double the population of settlers in the region, a move that has sparked outrage across the Middle East. In a statement, the Saudi Foreign Ministry described Israel’s settlement plan as part of a broader effort to destabilize Syria, labeling it as an act of “sabotage” against Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Saudi Arabia’s condemnation comes just a week after the overthrow of Syria’s longtime leader, Bashar al-Assad, by opposition forces. The Kingdom stressed the importance of international solidarity in condemning Israel’s actions and reiterated its support for Syria’s sovereignty. The Golan Heights, Saudi Arabia emphasized, is “an occupied Syrian Arab land” that should be restored to Syria, a stance that echoes decades of Arab and international positions on the disputed territory.

The Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has framed the expansion of settlements in the Golan as essential to Israel's security, particularly in light of the changing dynamics in Syria following Assad’s ousting. Netanyahu’s office justified the move by highlighting what it called a “new front” facing Israel on its northern border, arguing that the collapse of Assad's regime has opened up potential security threats from Syria. Despite this, Saudi Arabia and other Arab nations view the settlement expansion as an opportunistic land grab, capitalizing on Syria's current instability.

The settlement plan, which was unanimously approved by the Israeli cabinet, includes over 40 million shekels (approximately $11 million) in funding to boost the settler population. Netanyahu has been clear in his intent to solidify Israel’s control over the region, stating, “Strengthening the Golan is strengthening the State of Israel, and it is especially important at this time.” This policy, however, flies in the face of international law, which deems Israel's occupation of the Golan Heights illegal.

The Geopolitical Landscape and Israel’s Strategic Ambitions

The timing of Israel’s announcement is significant. With Syria in the throes of a political and military transition following the fall of Assad, Israel’s expansionist policies have raised concerns about further destabilization in the region. Israel has long argued that its control over the Golan Heights is a strategic necessity, citing the plateau’s value as a military vantage point. The region also holds substantial economic importance, with its rich agricultural land and potential for energy resources, particularly in water and natural gas reserves.

Since the 1981 annexation of the Golan Heights, Israel has steadily increased its settler population, which now numbers over 30,000. These settlers live alongside around 20,000 Syrian Druze, many of whom have maintained their Syrian identity despite decades of Israeli occupation. While Israel views the settlement expansion as a means to ensure security and stability, critics argue that it is part of a long-term strategy to make Israel’s occupation of the Golan irreversible.

This is not the first time Israel has faced international condemnation for its policies in the Golan. In 2019, then-U.S. President Donald Trump broke with international consensus by officially recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the region, a move that was hailed by Netanyahu but condemned by most other nations. With Trump set to return to office in January, there are concerns that his administration may further embolden Israel’s expansionist policies in the Golan and beyond.

Regional and International Responses

Saudi Arabia’s condemnation of Israel’s actions has been echoed by other Arab nations, including Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The UAE, which normalized relations with Israel in 2020 as part of the Abraham Accords, expressed its “categorical rejection” of the settlement expansion, warning that it threatens to exacerbate tensions in the region. In a statement, the UAE’s Foreign Ministry underscored the importance of preserving Syria’s territorial integrity and called on Israel to cease its “deliberate efforts to expand the occupation.”

This growing chorus of Arab voices against Israel’s actions reflects broader concerns about the potential for renewed conflict in the region. With Syria’s political landscape in flux, the possibility of clashes between Israeli forces and Syrian factions—whether rebel groups or remnants of Assad’s loyalist forces—remains high. While Netanyahu has stated that Israel has “no interest in conflict with Syria,” Israeli forces have continued to carry out airstrikes on Syrian territory, ostensibly targeting weapons depots and military infrastructure to prevent them from falling into the hands of extremist groups.

Syria’s new de facto leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, who heads the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has condemned Israel’s military actions, accusing the country of using the fall of Assad as a pretext to justify its strikes. However, al-Sharaa has also indicated that Syria is not seeking a direct confrontation with Israel, emphasizing that the priority for Syria is reconstruction and stabilization after years of devastating civil war.

Turkey, another key regional player, has also expressed concern over the developments in the Golan Heights. Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler stated that while Ankara is willing to provide support to Syria’s new government, it is critical to avoid actions that could lead to further escalation in the region. Turkey, which has backed various opposition factions in Syria throughout the civil war, has called for a diplomatic solution to the crisis, warning that the current situation could spiral into a broader regional conflict if not managed carefully.

The Role of International Powers

The United States and the European Union have both weighed in on the situation, though their responses have been more measured compared to the strong reactions from Arab nations. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has reiterated Washington’s commitment to Israel’s security but has also urged restraint in its dealings with Syria. While the U.S. has maintained its recognition of Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights since Trump’s 2019 declaration, Blinken has called for a focus on de-escalation and the pursuit of a peaceful resolution to the Syrian conflict.

The European Union, meanwhile, remains cautious about how to engage with Syria’s new leadership. Although the EU cut diplomatic ties with the Assad regime during the civil war, it has continued to provide humanitarian aid to the country. Following Assad’s ousting, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas indicated that the bloc was considering how to engage with Syria’s new rulers, particularly given HTS’s past links to al-Qaeda. However, Kallas stressed that any engagement would be contingent on the new government’s actions and its commitment to protecting minorities and ensuring stability.

At the United Nations, there has been growing pressure to address the situation in Syria more robustly. UN Syria envoy Geir Pedersen has called for an end to international sanctions on Syria to facilitate the country’s economic recovery, a position that has been supported by some member states but opposed by others, particularly those wary of HTS’s leadership. Pedersen has emphasized the need for a coordinated international effort to rebuild Syria and prevent the resurgence of extremist groups.

The Future of the Golan Heights and Syria

As the situation in Syria continues to evolve, the Golan Heights remains a flashpoint for broader regional tensions. Israel’s determination to solidify its control over the territory, coupled with Syria’s ongoing political transition, raises the prospect of further conflict in the years ahead. For Saudi Arabia and other Arab nations, the focus will likely remain on supporting Syria’s sovereignty and resisting Israel’s expansionist policies.

The question of what will happen to the Golan Heights remains unresolved. While Israel shows no signs of relinquishing control, international pressure to find a peaceful solution could intensify, particularly if Syria’s new leadership succeeds in stabilizing the country. For now, however, the Golan Heights will continue to be a symbol of the broader struggle for power and influence in the Middle East, with both regional and international actors jockeying for position in the aftermath of Assad’s downfall.