Saudi Arabia has expressed strong condemnation of Israel’s recent announcement to double settlements in the occupied Golan Heights following the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government. The move, announced by Israel, has sparked significant backlash from Saudi Arabia, which urged the international community to take action against these “unacceptable practices.”

On Sunday, December 15, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement denouncing Israel’s plans and calling for a collective international response. According to Arab News, the Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has unanimously approved a budget of $11 million to increase the population in the Golan Heights. Netanyahu’s office stated that the plan aims to double the population in light of the ongoing war in Syria and the possibility of new fronts emerging in the region.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry reiterated that the Golan Heights is Syrian Arab territory under occupation. It criticized Israel’s decision, stating that such actions not only violate international law but also hinder efforts to restore stability and security in Syria. The statement emphasized that Saudi Arabia considers Israel’s plans as a direct threat to Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Saudi Arabia further called on the international community to take immediate action against Israel’s violations, urging global actors to uphold Syria’s sovereignty and protect its geographic unity. The ministry’s statement also expressed concerns that Israel’s policies in the Golan Heights will exacerbate tensions in the region and obstruct peace-building efforts.

The Golan Heights has remained a contentious territory since Israel captured much of it during the 1967 Arab-Israeli War. In 1981, Israel officially annexed the area, a move that has not been internationally recognized except by the United States.

Saudi Arabia’s strong reaction is seen as a reaffirmation of its longstanding stance against Israeli policies in the occupied Arab territories. Analysts suggest that this condemnation may bolster the anti-Israel sentiment in the Middle East and contribute to an increasingly united Arab position on Israeli actions in the region.