The Israeli government has approved a plan to increase the number of settlers in the occupied Syrian Golan after the fall of Bashar al-Assad.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced on Sunday, December 15, that the government unanimously approved a plan worth 40 million shekels ($11 million) for the demographic development of the Golan, in light of the war and the new front in Syria, and the desire to double the number of settlers.

Netanyahu added that “strengthening the Golan is strengthening Israel, which is especially important at this time. We will continue to solidify our presence there and develop it,” according to the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth.

The Prime Minister’s Office also stated that the decision strengthens the settlements in the Golan by supporting educational and renewable energy projects, establishing a student village, and organizational development, which will help the Golan Regional Council absorb the new settlers who will arrive.

The head of the Golan Regional Council, Uri Kellner, expressed his support for the decision to double the settlers, stating that the decision enhances the foundations for demographic growth in the Golan, pointing to the necessity of developing housing units, supporting infrastructure, boosting the local economy, and improving the quality of life in the Golan to encourage settlers to come.

In this context, the Saudi Foreign Ministry condemned Israel’s decision to expand settlements in the occupied Golan, continuing to sabotage opportunities for Syria to regain its security and stability.

The ministry stated in a statement, “The Kingdom renews its call to the international community to condemn these Israeli violations,” emphasizing the necessity of respecting Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and that the Golan is occupied Syrian Arab land.

The UAE also strongly condemned the Israeli government’s decision to expand settlements in the occupied Golan Heights, which threatens to escalate tension in the region.

The UAE’s foreign ministry affirmed its commitment to Syria’s unity, independence, and territorial integrity, indicating that the decision to expand settlements in the Golan Heights is an entrenchment of occupation and a violation of international laws.

The UAE expressed its rejection of all measures and practices aimed at changing the legal status in the occupied Golan, which threatens the security, sovereignty, and stability of Syria.

Israel occupied most of the Golan Heights in 1967 and announced its annexation in 1981, a move only recognized by the United States.

About 23,000 Syrians live in the occupied Golan, their presence predating the occupation, with most retaining Syrian citizenship, in addition to approximately 30,000 Israeli settlers.

Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad, Israel began to penetrate a buffer zone monitored by the United Nations that has separated Israeli and Syrian forces since 1974.

Israel described this step, which faced international condemnation, as a temporary and defensive measure after what Netanyahu’s office referred to as “the vacuum on Israel’s borders and in the buffer zone” following the fall of Assad’s regime.

In the wake of Assad’s fall, Israel launched hundreds of strikes on Syria, targeting military sites and strategic weapons.

Commenting on the Israeli strikes and its penetration into Syria, the commander of the Military Operations Administration in Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa (Abu Mohammad al-Jolani), stated that Israel’s excuses have ended, asserting that there are no justifications for foreign intervention in Syria now after the factions eliminated Iran’s presence in the country.

Al-Sharaa explained that the current situation does not allow for entering into any new conflicts, pointing out that the Israelis have clearly crossed engagement lines in Syria, which threatens unjustified escalation in the region.