Israel orders troops to remain in Syria buffer zone through winter
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Israel to Expand Settlements in Golan Heights
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Above: Military mobile operations of the Israeli army continue on the Syrian-Israeli border in the Majdal Shams region of Golan Heights after the fall of the Baath regime in Syria on Dec.15, 2024. Image copyright: Saeed Qaq/Contributor/Anadolu via Getty Images
The Facts
Israel said on Sunday that it planned to double the population of settlers in the Golan Heights, a territory generally considered to be illegally occupied, though Israel contests this.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu justified the move, saying that a "new front" had been opened due to the fall of Damascus to anti-government forces. Israel has seized additional territory in the Golan Heights and bombed Syria's military infrastructure.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Israel should be wary of expanding its presence in the Golan Heights, as it only isolates Israel internationally and creates unnecessary problems. Israel's Western allies are committed to ensuring stability in the region and will work with Israel to prevent further conflict.
Pro-Israel narrative
Increased settlement of the Golan Heights is necessary to ensure Israel's security, as the region's strategic high ground will act as Israel's first line of defense against terrorist threats. With Islamic radicals taking power in Damascus, Israel must focus on responsibly securing its border.
Pro-Palestine narrative
Israel's illegal actions in Syria are yet another example of the country's tried and true strategy of falsely claiming it's threatened so that it can steal land. The new government in Damascus is incapable of posing a serious threat to Israel, yet Israeli leaders have nonetheless created fabricated excuses to encroach on Syria's territory so that settlements can be built.
