Olabi: Golan is Syrian land, Israeli annexation measures are void

Syria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ibrahim Olabi, stressed the need to hold Israel accountable for its violations of international law and human rights, reaffirming that the Golan will remain Syrian territory and that all Israeli measures aimed at annexing it are null and void under international law and U.N. Security Council Resolution 497.

Olabi made the remarks in a statement delivered Monday at the opening of the Third Committee of the U.N. General Assembly, which addresses social, humanitarian and cultural affairs.

“Syria has taken steps to combat discrimination, promote equal citizenship, protect children’s rights, empower women, and combat transnational crime,” Olabi said.

He affirmed that the return of refugees and internally displaced persons is a national priority, outlining the vision of a “Syria Without Camps” and a transition from managing displacement and providing temporary humanitarian responses toward durable solutions, early recovery and reconstruction.

Olabi reiterated Syria’s support for the work of the relevant U.N. mechanisms, emphasizing national ownership of accountability and transitional justice processes, efforts to determine the fate of missing persons, and the importance of strengthening cooperation with Syrian national institutions.

On Sept. 17, during a U.N. Security Council session, Olabi said Syria had become an indispensable partner in ensuring security and stability in the region.

He stressed that Israel represents the greatest threat to the security and stability of the region as a whole, adding that Damascus remains committed to diplomatic solutions and the security agreement under U.S. sponsorship, without accepting occupation or relinquishing the rights of the Syrian people.

R A H/ R.K