Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa speaks during the 81st United Nations General Assembly at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, on Sept. 23, 2026. (Credit: Timothy A. Clary/AFP)
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa insisted at the UN Wednesday that the Golan Heights region will remain Syrian after Colombia last month recognized Israeli sovereignty over the strategically important territory. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz was quick to react, writing in a statement that the Golan Heights are "an integral and eternal part of Israel."
"Any attempts that violate our sovereignty, violate international law, will be stopped. Golan will remain Syrian territories," al-Sharaa said at the UN meeting of world leaders in New York.
Colombia's new hard-right government in August recognized Israel's claim over the Golan Heights, which it captured from Syria in 1967.
The United States had until then been the only country to recognize Israel's annexation of the territory in 1981.
The United Nations maintains that the plateau is Syrian territory under Israeli military occupation.
In July, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reiterated that the Golan Heights were part of Syria, describing Israeli occupation as "totally unacceptable."
Al-Sharaa also used his second turn at the UN rostrum to denounce repeated Israeli strikes on his country since the fall of former dictator Bashar al-Assad.
"Israel is launching attacks against Syria. There have been 500 air strikes, more than 1,200 incursions, and 300 detentions. This is at odds with the orientation we're seeing at global level," he said.
"It is reminiscent of a era that we thought was long gone."
Israel's response
Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Wednesday that the Golan Heights would remain under Israeli sovereignty "forever," after Syria's president insisted at the United Nations that it was Syrian land.
"My clear response to the Syrian president, who made bombastic declarations from the U.N. podium: The Golan under Israeli sovereignty is an inseparable part of the State of Israel forever," Katz said in a video statement.
Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in the Six Day War of 1967 and annexed the territory in 1981. The United States had been the only country to recognize the annexation until Colombia recognized Israel's claim last month.