A senior Syrian official has firmly stated that the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative is a non-negotiable precondition for any normalization of ties with Israel, directly challenging Israel’s recent diplomatic overture. This initiative mandates Israeli withdrawal from all occupied territories, including the Golan Heights, West Bank, and Gaza, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, contrasting with Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar’s declaration that the Golan’s status is non-negotiable.
Israel, through its Foreign Minister Saar, expressed interest on Monday in establishing formal diplomatic relations with Syria and Lebanon. Israeli leaders argue that Iran’s perceived weakening after this month’s 12-day war creates an opening for other countries in the region to forge ties. This follows a period of significant regional upheaval, including the Gaza conflict, Israeli operations 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 Arab world.
The Syrian official’s insistence on the Arab Peace Initiative, particularly the demand for Palestinian statehood, directly conflicts with Israel’s stated position. Foreign Minister Saar dismissed conditioning normalization on Palestinian statehood as “not constructive,” asserting that “a Palestinian state will threaten the security of the State of Israel,” highlighting a deep-seated ideological barrier to any comprehensive peace agreement.