Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israel has no interest in getting into a conflict with Syria, which has sparked debate on a regional and global scale. Additionally, he indicated that Israel’s stance on Syria will be determined by “field conditions,” suggesting a measured and practical approach. But these comments arrive as regional tensions are rising, with Israeli bombings, raids, and territorial encroachment in the occupied Golan Heights wreaking havoc on Syrian territory. A lot of people are worried about Israel’s policy in Syria when Assad goes, as its actions don’t line up with what Netanyahu says.
An Antecedent of Antagonism
Since the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948, Syria and Israel have had an antagonistic relationship. Rivalries across regions, ideological divides, and claims to specific territories have all contributed to the escalation of the conflict. This hostility revolves around the 1967 Six-Day War and Israel’s subsequent occupation of the Golan Heights. Despite worldwide criticism and UN resolutions recognizing Syria’s sovereignty over the region, Israel has maintained control of this important hill since then, which provides a panoramic view of Syrian and Israeli areas.
Syria has been an “enemy of Israel for several decades” according to Netanyahu, and this claim is based on this history. Previous Syrian administrations, including Assad’s, have sided with Iran—a dangerous regional rival of Israel’s—and backed Palestinian resistance movements. They have also given haven to terrorist organizations like Hezbollah. On the flip side, Israel has launched a slew of activities, both clandestine and public, to weaken Syria’s military and counter what it sees as threats coming from inside Syria’s territory.
Syria After Assad: A Fresh Front Line
A political vacuum in Syria has resulted from Bashar al-Assad’s ouster, which has changed the dynamics of the area profoundly. Israel used an opportunity to reassess its stance toward its northern neighbor when the Assad administration collapsed due to internal uprisings and insurgencies supported by outside powers.
On the surface, Netanyahu appears to be exercising moderation, but his latest remarks beg to disagree. Tel Aviv has ramped up its military operations in Syria ever since Assad’s regime fell. Israeli forces reportedly attacked Iranian assets, Hezbollah strongholds, and Syrian military installations. Israeli officials have defended the attacks by saying they are necessary to deter potential threats, while others have accused them of being aggressive and opportunistic.
The settlement expansion in the Golan Heights by Israel is a very controversial issue. Israel has quickened its preparations to establish control over the Golan Heights after the United States recognized Israeli sovereignty over the territory in 2019, going against the grain of international agreement. Many Syrians see this territorial expansion as an extension of Israel’s long-term occupation and annexation program.
A Dubious Goal: Negotiations with Syrian Rebels?
Claims of Israeli cooperation with rebel factions in Syria’s civil conflict rank high among the contentious issues surrounding Israel’s engagement in the country. Israel allegedly helped select groups fighting against Assad’s regime financially, gave medical aid, and offered logistical support, according to multiple sources. Despite Israeli officials’ denials of involvement, some say their actions were meant to destabilize Syria by keeping the conflict going.
Since the two countries may have had common goals during the war, the claim that “Syrian terrorists have made deals with Israel” becomes more plausible. It is in Israel’s strategic interest for Syria to be fragmented into smaller, weaker states so that there is less chance of a cohesive, hostile state on its northern border. Working with Israel provided a glimmer of hope for certain rebel factions struggling against the Assad regime’s superior military might.
Amid this dynamic, rumors have been circulating that Israel’s assaults on Syrian infrastructure and military locations are strategic measures to change the geopolitical dynamics of the region.
Realities and Israel’s Claims
We need to take a close look at Netanyahu’s claim that Israel isn’t looking to fight Syria. Although Israel may not be actively seeking a full-scale conflict, its actions clearly show that it intends to consolidate political and military control in the region. Israel is influencing the course of events in Syria after Assad’s ouster by attacking Syrian military assets, extending settlements, and claiming the Golan Heights. There are serious concerns regarding international law with the recurrent airstrikes on Syrian land. Only in self-defense circumstances or with the Security Council’s approval is forced to be used, according to the UN Charter. Israeli unilateralism threatens to erode the international order’s bedrock values of sovereignty and non-aggression.
Golan Heights and Its Importance
Israeli policy toward Syria revolves around the Golan Heights. The area is economically valuable due to its abundance of water and oil in addition to its strategic importance. Israeli settlement construction in the Golan has been a top priority for the administration, allowing it to further consolidate its presence despite international objections. Syria regards the Golan Heights as a sign of national pride and a symbol of lost land. With the fall of the Assad administration and the Syrian state in chaos, any possibility of recovering the plateau seems more and more improbable.
Risks to Regional Peace and Security
There will be far-reaching effects on regional stability from Israel’s tactics in Syria. Israel is playing chicken with Syria’s allies, such as Iran and Hezbollah, by increasing the intensity of its military operations and building more settlements. A wider conflict engulfing the already unstable Middle East could ensue from this. Also, other states should not follow Israel’s lead because it sets a bad precedent. The stability of the global order is jeopardized if powerful nations can ignore international law and unilaterally claim other lands without facing consequences.
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The Price Paid by Humanity
Among those harmed by the crisis, Syrian civilians rank high. Millions have been uprooted and left destitute as a result of decades of conflict, occupation, and outside interference. Victims caught in the crossfire have been further traumatized by Israeli and other foreign forces’ bombings in Syria. The future is unclear for the Syrians residing in the Golan Heights who are occupied by Israel. Their rights have been acknowledged on a global scale, yet they still confront prejudice, economic exclusion, and limitations on political speech.
What Comes Next?
A more proactive involvement from the international community is required to resolve the problem in Syria as it develops. Addressing the larger problems of occupation and territorial expansion and ensuring that Israel is held responsible for its acts in line with international law are all part of this. Engaging with regional allies to guarantee security without resorting to confrontation would be a more positive strategy for Israel. Dialogue and mutual respect are the only paths to genuine stability, not military domination and unilateral action.
Israel’s stance toward a potential conflict with Syria seems to contradict Netanyahu’s assertions. Israeli policies indicate a larger goal of territorial expansion and regional domination, even though they may be motivated by genuine security concerns. These measures add to the Syrian people’s long history of injustice and misery. With eyes on the globe, global players must tackle the intricacies of the Syrian war with a focus on justice, peace, and the rule of law. When that happens, the region will finally have a chance to break the cycle of violence and create a future where people work together peacefully.
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