Israel advances plan to expand settler population in occupied Golan Heights

Israel has unveiled a plan to significantly increase the settler population in the Golan Heights, a territory it has occupied since 1967.

This move, approved unanimously by the Israeli government, comes shortly after Syrian rebel factions ousted long-standing leader Bashar al-Assad and weeks ahead of Donald Trump’s return to the U.S. presidency.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the "demographic development" initiative, aimed at doubling the number of Israeli settlers in the occupied Golan Heights. The plan includes a budget of over 40 million shekels ($11 million) to facilitate the expansion. Netanyahu described the move as vital for strengthening Israel's hold on the region, which he called “especially important at this time.”

Currently, around 31,000 Israeli settlers live in dozens of settlements in the Golan Heights, alongside minority groups such as the Druze, who largely identify as Syrian. Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel's commitment to maintaining control over the region, saying, “We will continue to hold onto it, cause it to blossom, and settle in it.”

Observers see the timing of this decision as strategic. Reporting from Amman, Al Jazeera’s Nour Odeh noted that Israel appears to view the current geopolitical climate as advantageous for solidifying its grip on the Golan Heights.

While the international community, under international law, considers Israel's occupation of the Golan Heights illegal, former U.S. President Donald Trump formally recognized Israeli sovereignty over the area during his first term. Trump, now President-elect, is set to retake office in January, a development that may bolster Israel’s position.

Netanyahu’s office confirmed that the new plan focuses on the Golan Heights territory occupied by Israel since 1967 and does not include additional Syrian land recently seized after Assad's removal. However, this newly acquired territory includes the strategically significant Mount Hermon, which overlooks Damascus.

Saudi Arabia was among the first nations to condemn the Israeli government’s expansion plan, accusing Israel of attempting to undermine Syria’s transition following Assad's ousting, reported Al-Jazeera.

Netanyahu, however, defended Israel's recent strikes on Syrian targets, emphasizing they were aimed at countering potential threats and preventing extremist groups from gaining a foothold near Israel's borders. Despite these military actions, he stated, “We have no interest in conflict with Syria.”

The move has drawn comparisons to Israel’s policies in the West Bank, where settlement activities have led to accusations of land grabs and efforts to establish permanent occupation.