Israel’s Stance on Syrian Territory: Temporary Presence or Strategic Intent?
Recent statements from Israel regarding Syrian land have sparked a debate on the intentions behind its military presence. During an interview with Russian news agency “TASS,” Israel’s Ambassador to Russia, Simona Halperin, clarified Israel’s position concerning the Syrian territories.
Halperin stated unequivocally that Israel has “no territorial ambitions” in Syria. Her comments were in response to questions about Israel’s readiness to withdraw from recent advances along the Syrian border. She emphasized, “Israel does not have any regional ambitions over Syrian lands. It’s crucial to understand this, and this is where we need to start.”
She further explained that Israel’s presence in the border buffer zone was a response to initial attacks by Islamist and jihadist groups on the demilitarized area and UN positions. “When Islamists, jihadists, attacked the buffer zone and UN sites at the beginning of the events, Israel entered to ensure security. Israel is in this buffer zone. It’s important to understand that we are in a very limited area, there temporarily, and for one reason: to ensure security,” Halperin added.
She stressed that Israel would ensure that new Syrian authorities do not allow their land to become a platform for attacking Israel. “We cannot allow these lands to become a threat to Israel, or for Iran to return there and use Syrian territory to attack Israel or to deliver strategic weapons and others to Hezbollah,” Halperin noted.
Earlier,
Israeli media had disclosed plans for a “possession zone” by the Israeli military extending 15
kilometers into Syria, coupled with an “influence zone” where intelligence control would extend
up to 60 kilometers.
In contrast, Ahmad Al-Shara, head of the Syrian Interim Government, recently remarked that
Israel’s advance into the buffer zone was under the pretext of Iranian militia presence, an excuse
he claims is no longer valid since the liberation of Damascus.
Source: TASS News Agency
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