European Union disavows Colombia's recognition of Israel's 'sovereignty' over the Golan - Sarmad

The European Union affirmed on Wednesday that it does not recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan, calling on Israel to comply with the provisions of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement and to respect Syria’s sovereignty over its territory.

The Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported that the European Union reiterated its position that, in accordance with international law and United Nations Security Council Resolutions 242 and 497, it does not recognize Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Syrian Golan. The EU called on Israel to respect the demilitarized buffer zone in the Syrian Golan and to adhere to the provisions of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement.

The EU also reaffirmed its support for the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), which monitors the Syrian Golan, recalling the importance of Security Council Resolution 497 (1981).

The European Union called on Israel to respect Syria’s independence, sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity within secure borders, and to avoid any measures that could undermine respect for Security Council Resolutions 497 (1981) and 2799 (2025).

The EU urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint, avoid any further acts of violence, and comply with international law, including international humanitarian law. It supported all diplomatic efforts aimed at preventing escalation in the region, including dialogue between Israel and Syria.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had claimed that the Golan Heights is “Israeli land,” asserting that the Israeli flag would continue to fly there. He added that the Golan has now, in his words, become part of Israel again and would remain so permanently.

The dispute over the legal status of the Golan dates back to 1967, when Israel occupied the area during the June War, before declaring in 1981 the application of its laws, jurisdiction, and administration there, in what became known as the “Golan Heights Law.”

Colombia’s announcement recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Syrian Golan sparked a wave of widespread Arab condemnation, amid assurances that the decision does not alter the legal status of the occupied territory.