Israel's Foreign Minister Saar Affirms Golan Heights Non-Negotiable Amidst Push for Syria, Lebanon Normalization

Jerusalem – Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced on Monday, June 30, 2025, that Israel is "interested" in normalizing diplomatic ties with neighboring Syria and Lebanon. This statement, shared on social media, signals a potentially significant shift in regional relations, though Saar firmly reiterated that the strategic Golan Heights will remain part of Israel. The overture comes amidst a changing geopolitical landscape in the Middle East.

Israel's interest in expanding its "circle of peace and normalization" follows recent major regional developments, including the overthrow of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024 and a perceived weakening of the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement in Lebanon. Israeli leaders suggest that the recent 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran has created an opportune moment for other nations in the region to forge ties. This perspective aligns with a broader push to build upon the Abraham Accords, which established diplomatic relations between Israel and several Arab states.

The status of the Golan Heights remains a central point of contention. Saar insisted that the plateau, captured from Syria in 1967 and annexed by Israel in 1981, is non-negotiable in any future peace agreement. However, a senior Syrian official, speaking anonymously, stated that Syria would never relinquish the Golan Heights, viewing it as an integral part of Syrian territory. Syria also maintains that any normalization efforts must align with the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, which calls for Israeli withdrawal from occupied territories and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

Foreign Minister Saar dismissed the idea of conditioning normalization on Palestinian statehood, describing it as "not constructive" and asserting that a Palestinian state would threaten Israel's security. Meanwhile, the United States, under President Donald Trump, has actively encouraged normalization, with US envoy Tom Barrack meeting with Syria's new president and urging closer ties. Reuters reported in May that Israel and Syria's new government had already engaged in direct, face-to-face meetings to de-escalate tensions.

In Lebanon, despite Hezbollah's diminished influence following recent conflicts, a Lebanese official indicated that normalization with Israel was not among the demands presented by the US envoy. Lebanon's focus remains on securing guarantees for a full Israeli withdrawal from its territory and the disarmament of Hezbollah. The complex interplay of these factors will determine the feasibility and scope of any future normalization agreements.