Netanyahu’s 'Illegal' Visit to Occupied Syrian Lands Sparks Heated UN Exchange

Syria has denounced a visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior Israeli officials to southern Syrian territory that Damascus says Israel has occupied for months. The visit, which included a public tour of troops and positions, prompted sharp exchanges at a United Nations Security Council meeting.

Syria’s ambassador to the UN, Ibrahim Olabi, called the trip “provocative” and urged the Security Council to take immediate action to halt the violations, prevent their recurrence, end the occupation and enforce relevant resolutions — in particular the 1974 disengagement agreement that followed the 1973 Arab-Israeli War.

“My government strongly condemns this provocative tour, which epitomises Israel’s ongoing aggression against Syria and its people,” Olabi told the council.

UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric described the visit as a “very public” act that was “concerning, to say the least,” and reminded delegates that UN Security Council Resolution 2799 reaffirmed calls for Syria’s sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity.

Israel has argued the 1974 disengagement arrangement is no longer valid following the overthrow of the previous Syrian leadership, and officials have justified a range of operations inside Syrian territory — including air strikes, ground incursions, reconnaissance flights, checkpoints and detentions — on security grounds. Syrian officials say they have not carried out reciprocal attacks and have repeatedly sought diplomatic responses.

At the Security Council meeting Israel’s UN ambassador, Danny Danon, did not address the visit directly. Instead he urged Syria to demonstrate a clear break from extremism, to protect religious minorities, to restrain militia activity and to end indiscriminate killings.

Olabi replied: “You have struck Syria more than 1,000 times, and we have responded with requests for diplomacy. We have shown no aggressive acts toward Israel and continue to call for constructive engagement.”

The Israeli delegation that entered the occupied area reportedly included Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, Defence Minister Israel Katz, Army Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and Shin Bet chief David Zini.

Syria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates condemned the trip “in the strongest terms,” calling it an illegal visit and a serious violation of Syrian sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Recent weeks have seen renewed Israeli military activity in southern Syria, including the establishment of a checkpoint in the Quneitra province, according to Syrian officials. Syrian sources also say Israeli strikes and incursions have been frequent since the political upheaval that removed Bashar al-Assad from power.

Despite the sharp rhetoric at the UN, diplomats and analysts say the two sides continue to negotiate a security agreement that could be concluded before the end of the year. Observers caution, however, that deep mutual distrust and repeated confrontations complicate prospects for a lasting settlement.