Beyond Traditional Foes: Israel’s Outreach to Syria and Lebanon

Israel is extending an unconventional outreach to its traditional foes, Syria and Lebanon, signaling interest in establishing formal diplomatic relations. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar’s announcement on Monday reflects a strategic move to capitalize on regional shifts, particularly Iran’s perceived weakening after the recent 12-day war and the overthrow of the former Syrian leader, Bashar al-Assad.
Crucial to Israel’s stance is the non-negotiable status of the Golan Heights, which it annexed in 1981 after capturing it from Syria in 1967. This position immediately clashes with Syria’s unwavering demand for the territory’s return, which is largely supported by the international community despite President Donald Trump’s recognition of Israeli sovereignty.
The current diplomatic initiative builds on the precedent set by the 2020 Abraham Accords, which saw the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco normalize ties with Israel. However, these agreements faced considerable unpopularity across the Arab world, underscoring the complex public sentiment that future normalization efforts will need to navigate.
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.