Israel has been without fully recognized borders since its establishment in 1948. The country’s history of shifting frontiers with Arab neighbors is a result of wars, annexations, ceasefires, and peace agreements. The downfall of Syrian President Bashar Assad has created a situation that could once again reshape Israel’s borders.
In a recent visit to the Syrian side of the 50-year-old demilitarized buffer zone, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israeli forces would remain in the area indefinitely, blurring the border with Syria. Netanyahu described the move as defensive and temporary, but made clear that Israel plans on staying for some time.
Israel’s borders have undergone significant changes throughout its history. In 1947, the United Nations approved a plan to partition Mandatory Palestine into Jewish and Arab states. However, this plan was never implemented, and Israel declared independence in May 1948. The country then captured the West Bank and east Jerusalem from Jordan and Gaza from Egypt and Syria during the 1967 Mideast war.
Since then, Israel has annexed east Jerusalem and built settlements in the West Bank, despite international consideration of both areas as occupied territory. In 1981, Israel annexed the Golan Heights, which is still considered occupied Syrian territory by most countries.
The current situation in Syria could lead to a reevaluation of Israel’s borders. Netanyahu announced plans to expand the Golan settler population after Assad’s downfall. However, experts say that an extended Israeli presence in Syria could be costly and economically burdensome for Israel.
Carmit Valensi, an expert on Syria at Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies, notes that Israel has little to gain by provoking Syrian insurgents and a long-term occupation would be costly. She suggests that if a moderate regime emerges in Syria, there is no reason for Israel to hold onto the territories for the long term.
The international community has already criticized Israel’s open-ended presence in Syria, with countries such as Egypt, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia expressing concerns about sparking additional conflicts. The United Nations has also called on all countries with interests in Syria to avoid further conflict.
As the situation in Syria continues to unfold, one thing is clear: Israel’s borders may be shaped once again by the actions of its neighbors.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/israel-borders-history-syria-gaza-war-golan-5fdf8fdbe2ec2cee7b9cf7f78fbb1c8c