Israel’s Security Interests Drive Push for Syria, Lebanon Normalization

Israel’s security interests are the primary driving force behind its push for normalization with Syria and Lebanon, as stated by Foreign Minister Gideon Saar on Monday. Saar highlighted that the perceived weakening of Iran after the 12-day war and the overthrow of former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad create a strategic window to expand Israel’s “circle of peace” while safeguarding its critical security concerns.
However, a core tenet of Israel’s position, and a significant point of contention, is the non-negotiable status of the Golan Heights. Israel annexed the territory in 1981 after capturing it from Syria in 1967, a move not recognized by most of the international community, despite President Donald Trump’s recognition of Israeli sovereignty.
This diplomatic initiative builds on the momentum of the 2020 Abraham Accords, which formalized relations with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco. While these agreements marked a new era of regional diplomacy, they were widely unpopular among Arab populations, suggesting that future normalization efforts will face considerable public and political challenges.
A major impediment, however, is the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative. A senior Syrian official reiterated that any normalization must be rooted in this initiative, which calls for Israeli withdrawal from all occupied territories and the creation of an independent Palestinian state. Israel’s Foreign Minister, Gideon Saar, dismissed the Palestinian statehood precondition as “not constructive” and a security threat, highlighting a fundamental disagreement that could derail any diplomatic breakthrough.