Syria hails UN vote supporting Golan heights claim

(MENAFN) Syria on Wednesday welcomed international support for a UN General Assembly resolution calling for Israel’s withdrawal from the occupied Golan Heights, noting that backing from 123 countries signals “strong support for new Syria.”

The resolution, adopted on Tuesday evening, reaffirms that Israel’s occupation and annexation of the Golan Heights are “illegal.” The vote passed with 123 in favor, 7 against—including Israel and the United States—and 41 abstentions.

Syria’s Foreign Ministry stated that the vote “clearly supports Syria’s position because the resolution describes Israel’s continued occupation of the Golan as an obstacle to achieving a just and comprehensive peace in the region.” It highlighted the increase in support from 97 countries last year to 123 this year as evidence of growing international endorsement of Syria’s stance on the occupied territory.

The ministry emphasized that the vote reflects “intensive diplomatic efforts” and noted that the resolution calls on Israel to withdraw to the June 4, 1967 lines, reaffirming the principle that land cannot be acquired by force. It also rejects settlement construction and other Israeli activities in the occupied Golan.

The resolution reminds Israel that it has not complied with UN Security Council Resolution 497 of 1981 and stresses that the ongoing occupation and de facto annexation of the Golan Heights remain barriers to a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in the region. Syria expressed “deep gratitude” to Egypt for submitting the resolution and thanked nations that consistently support it.

The Foreign Ministry underscored that Syria’s engagement in technical discussions affecting security and regional stability does not imply any concessions regarding the Golan, describing the vote as a clear endorsement of its position.

The annual resolution, traditionally submitted by the Arab Group, reiterates the occupied status of the Golan Heights. While not legally binding like Security Council resolutions, it reflects the prevailing international view rejecting Israel’s control over the territory.

Israel has occupied the Golan since 1967 and has expanded further into buffer zones and Mount Hermon after the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime last year, declaring the 1974 disengagement agreement null. Recent attempts at Syrian-Israeli talks to establish security arrangements failed after Tel Aviv refused to withdraw from newly seized areas. Despite calls from US leadership for de-escalation, Israel has continued near-daily airstrikes and ground incursions into Syrian territory.

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