Israel’s latest peace overture, an expressed interest in normalizing ties with Syria and Lebanon, seeks to balance its security interests with the complex demands of the region. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced on Monday that this opportunity arises from Iran’s perceived weakening, especially after the 12-day war, and significant shifts in the Middle East’s geopolitical landscape, including the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in Syria.
However, a critical aspect of Israel’s stance, as articulated by Saar, is the non-negotiable status of the Golan Heights. Annexed by Israel in 1981 after its 1967 capture from Syria, the Golan remains a contentious issue, viewed by most of the international community as occupied Syrian land, despite President Donald Trump’s recognition of Israeli sovereignty.
This diplomatic initiative builds on the success of the 2020 Abraham Accords, which saw the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco establish formal ties with Israel. Yet, these agreements faced considerable unpopularity across the Arab world, underscoring the deep public sentiment tied to the Palestinian issue, which could complicate future normalization efforts.
Indeed, a senior Syrian official has firmly linked any normalization to the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, which calls for Israeli withdrawal from all occupied territories and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. Israel’s Foreign Minister, however, countered that conditioning normalization on Palestinian statehood is “not constructive” and a security threat, exposing a fundamental ideological divide that poses a major hurdle to any comprehensive peace.