Israel and Syria clash over Golan Heights at UN General Assembly

During the United Nations General Assembly, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa highlighted the deep divisions stalling peace negotiations between their nations. Al-Sharaa expressed Syria's willingness to pursue full peace, including trade and diplomatic relations, provided there is a return of the Golan Heights, which has been under Israeli occupation since 1967. He also sought security agreements to restore the 1974 disengagement framework and address Israeli presence in areas occupied following the fall of Bashar al-Assad.

In response, Israeli leadership maintained a hard-line stance. Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the Golan Heights is an inseparable part of Israel and that the military will not withdraw from the security zone or Mount Hermon. Netanyahu reinforced this position during his address, citing historical and biblical claims to the territory.

Netanyahu's broader UN speech also addressed regional tensions, including accusations against Qatar and Turkey for spreading anti-Israel propaganda, and defended Israel against genocide allegations, calling them ‘the greatest lie of the century.’