Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa used his address to the UN General Assembly in New York on Wednesday to deliver a firm message: the Golan Heights will remain Syrian. Speaking before world leaders, he rejected any recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the strategic plateau, which Israel captured from Syria in 1967 and annexed in 1981.
“Any attempts that violate our sovereignty, violate international law, will be stopped. Golan will remain Syrian territories,” al-Sharaa said, drawing a line under the territorial dispute that has simmered for decades.
The United States was the only country to recognise Israel's annexation until Colombia’s new hard-right government followed suit in August. The UN has consistently declared the annexation “null and void,” and Secretary-General António Guterres reiterated in July that the Golan Heights are part of Syria, calling the Israeli occupation “totally unacceptable.”
A litany of Israeli actions
Al-Sharaa, who came to power in December 2024 after a blitz offensive ousted long-time dictator Bashar al-Assad, used his second appearance at the UN rostrum to denounce what he described as relentless Israeli aggression. He cited 500 air strikes, more than 1,200 incursions, and 300 detentions since his government took office.
“Israel is launching attacks against Syria. There have been 500 air strikes, more than 1,200 incursions, and 300 detentions. This is at odds with the orientation we're seeing at global level,” he said, adding that the behaviour “is reminiscent of an era that we thought was long gone.”
The Syrian leader also accused Israel of bombing the presidential palace twice and targeting airports, actions he said were aimed at undermining his country’s stability.
New Jersey quip for Trump
A day earlier, at an Atlantic Council panel moderated by former senior US national security official Brett McGurk, al-Sharaa recounted a direct conversation with US President Donald Trump. He said he told Trump that the US president had no right to recognise Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights.
“Why don't you give New Jersey to the Israelis?” al-Sharaa said he asked Trump. “You don't own the Golan Heights to give it to them, but you own New Jersey, and I believe New Jersey is full of Democrats, and they are not voting for Trump. So it will be good to give it to the Israelis. At least this is something that you own.”
He added that “the Golan has its people,” and that neither he nor Trump had the right to cede the territory. Trump, who has openly expressed admiration for al-Sharaa, formally recognised Israeli sovereignty over the Golan in 2019 during his first term.
Al-Sharaa’s nom de guerre, Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, reflects his family’s origins in the Golan, a personal connection that underscores his stance.
Talks and conditions
At the Atlantic Council event, al-Sharaa revealed that Syria and Israel had held several rounds of direct talks, some facilitated by the US, and had reached “almost 90% of agreements” before Israel pulled back or introduced new conditions.
“It's not appropriate that what happened on 7 October set Israeli policy for Syria,” he said, referring to the Hamas attack on Israel. “Israel needs to change its policy because it's creating problems around it in order to maintain its security.”
His comments come as regional tensions remain high, with European capitals watching closely. The EU has repeatedly called for respect for international law and the territorial integrity of all states in the region. As Brussels seeks to recalibrate its approach to the Middle East, al-Sharaa’s firm stance on the Golan could complicate any future diplomatic overtures.
For now, the Syrian president’s message to the world is unambiguous: the Golan Heights are not up for negotiation, and any attempt to alter their status will be met with resistance.
