The recent lifting of U.S. sanctions on Syria by President Donald Trump, coupled with his urging of Syria’s new president to normalize ties with Israel, appears to be paving the way for Israel’s declared interest in formal diplomatic relations with Syria and Lebanon. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar confirmed on Monday that Israel is keen on such a move, believing Iran’s weakened state offers a unique opportunity for regional re-alignment.
Despite this diplomatic overture, Saar explicitly stated that the status of the Golan Heights is non-negotiable for Israel. This territory, annexed by Israel in 1981 after its capture from Syria in 1967, remains a contentious issue, as the international community largely views it as occupied Syrian land, contrasting with the former U.S. administration’s recognition of Israeli sovereignty.
The current Israeli push to broaden its “circle of peace” aligns with the pattern set by the 2020 Abraham Accords, which saw the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco establish formal ties with Israel. However, these agreements faced significant unpopularity among Arab populations, highlighting the complex public and political landscape for further normalization.
A major hurdle remains the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, which a senior Syrian official insisted must be the framework for any normalization. This initiative calls for Israeli withdrawal from all occupied territories and the creation of an independent Palestinian state. Israel’s Foreign Minister, however, dismissed conditioning normalization on Palestinian statehood as “not constructive” and a security threat, indicating a deep ideological divide.