Not two years have passed since Israel learned the cost of ignoring threats on its borders, yet some now speak of handing strategic assets to Syria. The idea is not just misguided – it is dangerous. Our aspirations for peace and a thriving economy cannot replace our need for security. So while Israel’s discussions about normalizing ties with Lebanon and Syria are welcome, peace and prosperity can only happen when our security is guaranteed. This is why the obvious should be stated: Talks about the possibility of transferring Mount Dov to Syria are dangerously naive.
The Golan Heights is one of the most beautiful regions in Israel and the world. Its unique volcanic plateau, full of archaeological sites, rivers, and orchards, draws local and international tourists alike. At the same time, the Golan’s development is tied to the 100 kilometers of border fence separating it, and all of Israel, from Syria.
There is nothing I want more than to see the communities in the Golan flourish. I see it every day in the faces of our farmers, our small business owners, and our young families who chose to build their lives here. History shows us that calm borders are a key to fulfilling this vision. For stretches of time, limited trade, mainly agricultural, existed between Israel and the Syrian side.
Normalization in the North
Diplomatic efforts to normalize economic relations along Israel’s northern border in the wake of regional shifts can positively impact the area. However, the notion that Israel will relinquish strategic assets or territory to achieve such normalization is reckless.
Any discussion about ceding territory currently held by Israel is completely detached from the security and human realities of Israel after October 7. That black day was not just a national trauma – it was a brutal reminder of the consequences of ignoring threats, of trusting hollow promises, and of allowing hostile forces to creep up to our borders.
When Bashar al-Assad’s regime collapsed, Israel acted quickly to ensure Syrian military assets did not fall into the hands of jihadist organizations or local groups. Learning from the events that led to the current war, the IDF also created a buffer zone, providing much-needed depth between Israel’s communities in the Golan and potential Iranian-backed militias in Syria. A key part of this action was ensuring Israeli control over the strategic Hermon mountain range overlooking both Syria and Israel’s North.
These ideas should guide us now, too. Giving up tangible strategic assets in the hope for peace would be a mistake. Mount Dov, which was reportedly on the negotiating table, is not a bargaining chip. Like the rest of the Golan Heights, it is an inseparable part of Israel’s northern security envelope: a strategic, security, and national asset. Allowing our enemies to take positions there would allow another infiltration, another massacre, another disaster.
The people of Israel have woken up from illusions that endangered our children’s lives. We cannot afford to relapse. At the same time, for the sake of our children, we cannot afford to lose hope for peace and prosperity.
Security comes first
Herein lies the paradox. If, and only if, Israel’s security requirements are met – if sovereignty over the Golan Heights is recognized, if a permanent buffer zone is guaranteed, if strategic depth is maintained – then the door opens to new and exciting possibilities.
In fact, in the council’s strategic planning, especially for our economy, I have instructed our teams to consider this optimistic scenario. We do this not because we are naive but because we understand the incredible potential in arrangements such as the Abraham Accords. However, we also do it to better understand the true risks and to insist on the security measures needed to make it a reality.
When faced with the choice between illusions of peace endangering our children or realistic steps to secure their future, we must choose security. Only once that is guaranteed can we discuss how to turn that future into a better one.
Peace or normalization with Syria could bring tangible economic benefits to the Golan Heights and the Galilee. Imagine new cross-border trade routes that turn the Golan into a hub between Israel, Jordan, and Syria. Picture agricultural cooperation that leverages the Golan’s fertile land and water resources, or tourism initiatives that allow Israelis and Syrians to explore shared history and landscapes.
For Golan residents, such developments could mean more jobs, more investment, and a stronger local economy. For Israel, it would mean transforming a front line into a bridge.
Let us be clear: None of this is possible if Israel’s security is compromised. Without strategic depth, without control over high ground, without a reliable buffer, every economic promise becomes meaningless. No investor, no tourist, no farmer can thrive under the shadow of rockets and raids.
Israel’s government must approach any future negotiation with Syria from a position of clarity. Recognition of Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights is not a favor Damascus might grant us someday; it is the basic starting point of any dialogue. The same is true for continued Israeli control of other strategic assets; it is the minimum requirement for preventing another national tragedy.
If October 7 taught us anything, it is that illusions kill. Only by insisting on unshakable security first can we keep the dream of peace alive. That is the path to a northern border that is not a garrison but a gateway – to a better future for us, our children, and our neighbors.
The writer is the head of the Golan Regional Council. A lieutenant colonel in the IDF reserves, he fought in Kfar Aza on October 7 and served as deputy commander of the 55th Paratroopers Brigade until his election as the Golan council leader in March 2024.