Israeli Foreign Minister: The Golan Heights will remain under Israeli control in any normalization agreement with Syria
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said that Israel’s continued presence in the Golan Heights is a prerequisite for any potential normalization agreement with Syria, stressing that Damascus’ recognition of Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan is a necessary step toward concluding an agreement with Syrian President Ahmed al Sharaa.
In an interview with the Israeli channel i24NEWS, Sa’ar explained, “If Israel is given the opportunity to reach a peace agreement or normalization with Syria, while the Golan Heights remain under Israeli sovereignty, this, in my opinion, is a positive thing for the future of Israelis”.
Sa’ar’s statements coincided with a report by the same channel, citing an informed Syrian source, who predicted a full normalization agreement between Damascus and Tel Aviv would be reached before the end of 2025.
The source noted that talks are still ongoing under the direct sponsorship of US President Donald Trump, with encouragement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and at the request of Syrian President Ahmed al Sharaa.
According to the source, the agreement includes a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Syrian territories it seized after entering the buffer zone in December 2024, including the summit of Mount Hermon, with the Golan Heights being transformed into a “peace park,” without explicitly clarifying the issue of final sovereignty over it.
