Golan Heights

Israeli troops patrol the border fence with Syria near the Druze village of Majdal Shams in the Israel-annexed Golan Heights, July 23, 2025.

Analysis

Seeking leeway on Gaza, Netanyahu backs Trump’s Syria pact push

The US is working intensively to arrange a historic meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Syrian President Sharaa on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Israel military vehicles drive along the border fence into Israel, near the town of Majdal Shams, in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, July 17, 2025.

Analysis

Will Israel’s potential Syria security deal intensify its rivalry with Turkey?

Israeli experts warn that a security deal with Syria won’t ease tensions with Turkey or end the ongoing battle for regional influence.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

STEPHANIE LECOCQ/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Will Israel seize opportunity for rapprochement with Syria?

Signs indicate that Israel might have a rare opportunity to hold productive dialogue with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and advance a security deal with Damascus.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

BAKR ALKASEM/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Israel-Syria peace push mulls US troops by Golan, ‘reformulating’ armistice agreement

With the difficulty of negotiating the Golan Heights, Israel and Syria are considering something less than a peace treaty and full normalization.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Latest News

Syria-Israel talks reportedly intensify as Trump asks Sharaa to normalize: What to know

LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

How Trump's Gulf tour and release of Edan Alexander expose rift with Netanyahu

US President Donald Trump (L) bids farewell to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he leaves the White House after a meeting on April 7, 2025, in Washington.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Exclusive

Skepticism shrouds Syria-Israel indirect talks with bets on Sharaa

Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa upon arriving for a meeting at the Elysee presidential palace, Paris, May 7, 2025.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Analysis

Israel doubts Syria breakthrough as Sharaa signals openness to Abraham Accords

An Israeli army Merkava main battle tank is carried on the back of a trailer truck to be deployed near a watchtower of the UN-patrolled buffer zone's Quneitra checkpoint, separating Israeli and Syrian forces in the Golan Heights, on March 2, 2025. (Photo by Jalaa MAREY / AFP) (Photo by JALAA MAREY/AFP via Getty Images)

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Antony Blinken

Syria rejects US secretary of state's comments on Golan Heights

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told a House of Representatives committee Monday that Israel "has control" over the territory.

Memebers of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) stand near an old Israeli tank as they look toward the Syrian governorate of Quneitra from the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, on February 4, 2021. (Photo by JALAA MAREY / AFP) (Photo by JALAA MAREY/AFP via Getty Images)

Golan 'forever' part of Israel, Netanyahu says after Blinken comments

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken appeared to question the previous administration's controversial decision to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu applauds as he and U.S. President Donald Trump deliver joint remarks on a Middle East peace plan proposal in the East Room of the White House in Washington, U.S., January 28, 2020. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts? - RC26PE9IWG1Q

Trump’s endorsement crucial for Netanyahu’s annexation plan

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu knows that he cannot go ahead with annexation without the endorsement of US President Donald Trump.

Israel’s government approves funding for Trump Heights settlement

One year after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the establishment of Trump Heights settlement in the Golan Heights, the Cabinet approves an initial construction budget.

Israeli soldiers stand next to shells and a mobile artillery unit near the Israeli side of the border with Syria in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights August 26, 2019. REUTERS/Amir Cohen - RC1C67173F10

As Israel’s anti-Iran strategy shifts into higher gear, worries of fresh conflict grow

Israel's escalated campaign to contain Iran and its Hezbollah allies has provoked fear that a new conflict may erupt among neighbors.

Israeli wind farm project unites Jewish settlers, Golan Druze

In the Golan Heights, Israeli settlers and Druze have joined forces to oppose a wind farm project.

A supporter of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party waves flags, one bearing the name of U.S. President Donald Trump, as the crowd reacts to exit polls in Israel's parliamentary election at the party headquarters in Tel Aviv, Israel April 10, 2019. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun - RC12929E4A50

Netanyahu’s call to annex West Bank inspired by Trump support

Palestinian and international experts and politicians are convinced that the extraordinary statements made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about annexing all settlements come from the realization that he has support from US President Donald Trump for his radical call.

A general view shows the village of Ein Qiniyye in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights March 26, 2019. REUTERS/Ammar Awad - RC1E3CB87260

Trump paves way for Israel to expand settlements in Golan

Shortly after US President Donald Trump decided to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Golan Heights, Israel announced a plan to build 30,000 new housing units for settlers in the area.

Druze people take part in a rally over U.S. President Donald Trump's support for Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, in Majdal Shams near the ceasefire line between Israel and Syria in the Israeli occupied Golan Heights March 23, 2019 REUTERS/Ammar Awad - RC1883F0B370

Druze feelings mixed about Trump’s recognition of Golan

Some Druze residents of the Golan Heights protested US recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the territory, but others welcomed it.

A general view shows the town of Majdal Shams near the ceasefire line between Israel and Syria in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights March 25, 2019. REUTERS/Ammar Awad - RC1195E40A50

Did Trump’s decision on Golan undercut Putin mediation on Syria?

Russian President Vladimir Putin thought he had a deal in Helsinki; Turkey rethinks Syria ties over Kurds.

A Syrian army soldier stands at a checkpoint at the Quneitra crossing between the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights and Syria, seen from the Syrian side in Quneitra, Syria March 26, 2019. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki - RC1B4F2B5A00

Iran’s seeming restraint on Golan Heights puts Arab rivals in tough spot

Iran’s adoption of a low-profile position on Trump’s recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights appears to be a calculated move to maximize Iran's regional interests.

Golan residents unhappy, yet unsurprised by US decision

Golan Heights residents were dismayed but not altogether shocked by the US president's sudden decision to recognize Israel's annexation of their homeland.