France on the Golan Debate: We Respect Internationally Recognized Borders

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France has entered the fray sparked by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who reignited the debate yesterday, Thursday, regarding the occupied Syrian Golan Heights.

French Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pascal Confavreux stated, "The French position is clear regarding respect for international law and internationally recognized borders."

He also added in statements to Al Arabiya/Al Hadath on Friday: "The international force between Syria and Israel must be respected and not attacked."

Netanyahu reiterated during his speech yesterday at the United Nations General Assembly claims of "his country's ownership of the Syrian Golan." The Israeli official called on Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara to review religious texts, asserting that "the Jews have been there since the time of Prophet Moses," claiming that this area belongs to the Israelis and they will not give it up.

For his part, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz vowed two days ago that "the Golan will remain with Israel." Katz stated in press remarks that "the Golan will remain under Israeli sovereignty forever," in response to al-Shara's confirmation in his speech at the United Nations that this land is Syrian and will remain so.

All this debate came after al-Shara also clarified in a seminar before the United Nations meetings that he told U.S. President Donald Trump, "Why not give New Jersey to Israel instead of the Golan?" He emphasized that the Golan Heights belong to the Syrian people and no president, whether Syrian or foreign, can give away what he does not own to another country.

Israel has occupied the Golan Heights since the June 1967 war and announced its annexation in 1981.

However, after the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in December 2024, Israeli forces advanced beyond the buffer zone adjacent to the Golan Heights, reaching Mount Sheikh, which separates Lebanon and Syria, and announced its intention to establish a demilitarized zone in southern Syria.