Israel’s latest diplomatic overtures to Syria and Lebanon are meeting entrenched positions, highlighting the complexities of the Mideast quagmire. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar expressed Israel’s interest in normalization on Monday, but his insistence on the non-negotiable Golan Heights immediately clashed with Syria’s firm demand for its return and adherence to the Arab Peace Initiative.
Israel’s push for new ties is attributed by its leaders to Iran’s perceived weakening after this month’s 12-day war, creating an opportunity for other regional countries to forge ties. This follows a period of significant regional upheaval, including the Gaza conflict, Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon, and the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in Syria.
Saar emphasized Israel’s desire to expand its “circle of peace,” while safeguarding its “essential and security interests.” This push for broader regional ties aligns with the 2020 Abraham Accords, which saw the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco normalize relations with Israel, though these agreements were deeply unpopular in the broader Arab world.
However, a senior Syrian official, speaking anonymously, firmly stated that normalization efforts must be part of the comprehensive 2002 Arab Peace Initiative. This initiative calls for full Arab recognition of Israel in exchange for its complete withdrawal from occupied territories, including the Golan Heights, West Bank, and Gaza, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. Israel’s Foreign Minister, however, deemed conditioning normalization on Palestinian statehood “not constructive” and a threat to Israel’s security, illustrating the deep ideological chasm and the enduring quagmire.
13