In the aftermath of nearly two years of war in Gaza, Israel is actively seeking new diplomatic openings with its neighbors, particularly expressing interest in formalizing ties with Syria and Lebanon. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced on Monday that Israel sees an opportunity for expanded peace, fueled by the perceived weakening of Iran after the recent 12-day conflict and significant shifts in the regional power balance.
A key point of contention in Israel’s overture is its unwavering stance on the Golan Heights, which Saar declared non-negotiable. Israel annexed the territory in 1981 after capturing it from Syria in 1967, a move widely considered illegal under international law, despite President Donald Trump’s recognition of Israeli sovereignty.
The current diplomatic push aligns with Israel’s recent efforts to broaden its regional alliances, exemplified by the 2020 Abraham Accords with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco. These agreements, while groundbreaking, faced considerable unpopularity among Arab populations, suggesting that future normalization efforts will need to navigate complex public opinion.
However, any potential progress faces a significant hurdle in the form of the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative. A senior Syrian official reiterated that normalization must be part of this initiative, which calls for Israeli withdrawal from occupied territories and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. Israel’s Foreign Minister Saar explicitly rejected this precondition, stating that a Palestinian state would pose a security threat, highlighting a fundamental disagreement that could derail diplomatic aspirations.