Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on Monday that the Golan Heights, a region occupied by Israel since the Six-Day War in 1967, will permanently remain part of the Israeli state. This assertion came amid escalating criticism following Israel’s recent expansion into a UN-patrolled buffer zone along its border with Syria.

During a press conference held in Jerusalem, Netanyahu expressed gratitude towards U.S. President-elect Donald Trump for his endorsement of Israel’s 1981 annexation of the Golan Heights. He emphasized, “the Golan will be part of the State of Israel for eternity,” reinforcing Israel’s claim over the region which holds significant strategic and security implications for the nation.

The Golan Heights has been a focal point of contention since Israel captured the area from Syria during the 1967 conflict, subsequently thwarting Syrian efforts to reclaim it in the 1973 Arab-Israeli war. Netanyahu defended Israeli sovereignty over the plateau, arguing that control of the high ground is critical for national security.

Israel’s recent actions involve moving troops into a buffer zone on the eastern side of the Golan Heights, a transition prompted by the Syrian civil war and the erosion of President Bashar al-Assad’s authority after Islamist-led rebels gained ground. In response, the United Nations and neighboring countries condemned Israel’s maneuvers. A UN spokesperson stated that Israel’s actions constitute a breach of the 1974 disengagement agreement designed to maintain peace between the two nations.

Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry criticized the takeover, indicating that it demonstrates “Israel’s continued violation of the rules of international law” and threatens Syria’s prospects for stability and territorial integrity. Nonetheless, Netanyahu articulated that the collapse of Assad’s regime and the resulting security vacuum invalidated the previous agreements in his view.

Israel’s Foreign Minister, Gideon Saar, characterized the takeover as “a limited and temporary step we took for security reasons,” suggesting that the move is not a comprehensive shift in policy. Meanwhile, U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller acknowledged Israel’s actions, asserting they are “not permanent,” and reiterated that the U.S. aims for lasting stability between Israel and Syria, which includes adherence to the disengagement agreement established in 1974.

The situation remains tense as Israel navigates its security needs against the backdrop of shifting power dynamics in Syria, while international scrutiny intensifies over its territorial claims and military actions in the region.