Syrian Leader Criticizes Israel, Vows Golan Heights Will Remain Syrian

Syrian interim president Ahmad al-Sharaa harshly criticized Israel's occupation of territory and asserted that the Golan Heights is an inseparable part of Syria during a speech at the United Nations General Assembly.

Al-Sharaa stated that since he assumed power nearly two years ago, Israel has conducted over 500 air and artillery strikes against Syria, in addition to approximately 1,200 land incursions and nearly 300 detentions. He specifically condemned Israel's control over the Golan Heights, territory Syria lost in the 1967 Mideast war and which Israel annexed in 1981.

This stance contrasts with the 2019 recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights by former U.S. President Donald Trump, a move that reversed decades of American policy. The United Nations and the majority of the international community consider the territory occupied Syrian land and do not recognize Israel's annexation.

"No attempts at imposing a fait accompli can undermine the legitimacy of our state, the sovereignty of our law, or the force of international law," al-Sharaa declared. "The Golan will remain a Syrian land."

Israel has maintained a presence in a portion of southern Syria since the removal of longtime leader Bashar Assad, citing defensive measures to prevent potential attacks on its territory. Al-Sharaa called for Israeli forces to withdraw to the lines established on December 8, 2024, the date insurgents led by him removed Assad from power and Israel began deploying forces.

Syria remains committed to a 1974 agreement that established a demilitarized separation zone between Israeli and Syrian forces, monitored by a United Nations peacekeeping force. Al-Sharaa expressed this commitment during his address.

In a separate, lighter moment at an Atlantic Council event, al-Sharaa reportedly joked about asking Trump why he did not cede New Jersey to Israel instead of the Golan Heights.