Syrian President Demands Israeli Withdrawal from Golan Heights at UN

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, addressing the UN General Assembly, asserted that the Golan Heights will remain Syrian territory and demanded Israel's withdrawal to pre-1967 lines. He stated that any attempts to change the reality on the ground are illegitimate and cannot undermine Syria's sovereignty or international law, referencing UN Security Council Resolution 497 which declared Israeli annexation of the Golan void.

Al-Assad accused Israel of consistently violating regional stability, claiming approximately 500 Israeli airstrikes and artillery attacks on Syria, over 1,200 incursions into Syrian territory, and nearly 300 arrests of Syrians. He argued these actions threaten Syria's stability and evoke painful memories for its people.

The Syrian president reiterated Damascus's preconditions for regional negotiations, emphasizing adherence to the 1974 agreement and calling for Israeli forces to retreat to the lines of December 8, 2024. He rejected ongoing Israeli attempts to impose facts on the ground, viewing its continued aggression as a threat to security and stability.

Concluding his address, al-Assad issued an open call for a diplomatic settlement, contingent upon the acceptance of Syria's demands. He stated that a historic opportunity for peace still exists for those willing to live in a just peace that respects everyone's rights.