Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, and Iraq have strongly condemned Israel’s move to expand settlements in the Golan Heights. The expansion plan, approved by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, aims to encourage demographic growth in the region.
Netanyahu announced a NIS 40 million plan to double the population of the Golan after Israel’s north suffered damage due to war. However, this decision has sparked outrage from regional allies, who argue it violates international law and threatens further escalation.
The UAE described the move as “a new episode in a series of Israeli aggressions on Syrian territories,” emphasizing that the expansion would undermine Syria’s territorial integrity. Qatar also condemned the decision, calling it an “opportunistic scheme” aimed at destabilizing the region.
Similar sentiments were expressed by Iraq and Saudi Arabia, both affirming that the Golan is occupied Syrian territory. They believe any attempts to change its status are null and void. The international community is urged to intervene to stop Israeli “aggressions on Syrian territories,” according to Qatar.
Source: https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-833585