Türkiye at UN demands end to Israel’s "illegal" occupation of Syrian Golan

Türkiye has delivered a firm diplomatic message at the United Nations, demanding an end to Israel's "illegal and void" occupation of the Syrian Golan Heights and condemning recent military strikes near Damascus. Ambassador Ahmet Yıldız, addressing the UN General Assembly, reiterated Türkiye's unwavering support for a resolution affirming that Israel's decades-long occupation constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and must be reversed.

A Principled Stance on International Law

Ambassador Yıldız stated that for over five decades, the international community has consistently declared the occupation "null and void" through numerous UN resolutions. He emphasized that the Assembly's resolution reaffirms key principles: the illegality of annexation, the applicability of international humanitarian law, the demand for Israel's withdrawal to the June 4, 1967 line, and the necessity of renewed peace talks. "This principled and longstanding position remains unchanged," Yıldız declared, underscoring Türkiye's commitment to a rules-based international order.

Condemning Attacks Amid Syrian Recovery

The Turkish envoy linked the occupation to ongoing regional instability, sharply criticizing Israel's recent military actions near Damascus, including strikes on the Beit Jinn area that killed 13 Syrians. He labeled these actions a "blatant violation of Syrian sovereignty" that endangers civilians and undermines regional stability based on a "non-warranted and non-credible threat perception." Yıldız argued that at a time when Syrians are in a "historic process" of recovery following the fall of the Assad regime, such attacks "directly obstruct these efforts and must cease immediately."

A Vision for Lasting Security and Peace

Yıldız articulated a fundamental critique of Israel's security doctrine, asserting that "lasting security cannot be built on the continued occupation of another country’s territory." He condemned any unilateral steps to alter the Golan's legal or demographic character as "illegitimate, unacceptable and without legal effect." The ambassador concluded by urging Israel to comply with international law, engage constructively with Syria, and respect the core UN Charter principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity as the only path to comprehensive regional peace, which Türkiye remains committed to supporting.