WASHINGTON<\/p>\n
T\u00fcrkiye’s permanent representative to the UN expressed support Tuesday for a General Assembly resolution on the Syrian Golan, calling the Israeli occupation of the region \u201cnull and void.”<\/p>\n
“T\u00fcrkiye firmly supports the resolution on the Syrian Golan, which is scheduled for action today.<\/p>\n
“For more than five decades, the international community has consistently affirmed through numerous resolutions of both the General Assembly and the Security Council that the occupation of the Syrian Golan is null and void, constitutes a clear violation of international law and must come to an end,” Ahmet Yildiz told the UN General Assembly.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Syrian Golan” resolution declares Israel\u2019s continued occupation and de facto annexation of the Syrian Golan illegal and contrary to Security Council resolution 497 (1981). It reaffirms the applicability of international humanitarian law, demands Israel\u2019s withdrawal to the June 4, 1967 line, and urges renewed peace negotiations and international efforts to resume the peace process.<\/p>\n
“This resolution confirms that this principled and longstanding position remains unchanged,” Yildiz said.<\/p>\n
Yildiz told the members that the Syrian people are beginning to emerge from an \u201cexceptionally difficult period,\u201d describing what he called a \u201chistoric process of political, social and economic recovery\u201d now underway.<\/p>\n
He referenced the upcoming Dec. 8 anniversary, referring to the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria on Dec. 8, 2024, which Ankara views as a turning point marking Syrians \u201cregaining their freedom,\u201d and said the international community remains united in supporting Syria\u2019s stability and reconstruction.<\/p>\n
“At a time when Syrians are working to restore security, prosperity and social cohesion, Israeli military activities directly obstruct these efforts. Such attacks must cease immediately,” Yildiz said.<\/p>\n
Yildiz also criticized Israel\u2019s recent military actions near Damascus, citing reported strikes on the Beit Jinn area, which killed 13 Syrians.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese actions constitute a blatant violation of Syrian sovereignty and territorial integrity,\u201d he said. \u201cThey endanger civilians and undermine regional stability as a result of a non-warranted and non-credible threat perception.\u201d<\/p>\n
He argued that Israel must recognize that \u201clasting security cannot be built on the continued occupation of another country\u2019s territory.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reiterating Ankara\u2019s position, Yildiz condemned any unilateral steps aimed at altering the legal, demographic or institutional character of the occupied Syrian Golan. Such actions, he said, are \u201cillegitimate, unacceptable and without legal effect\u201d and only deepen tensions.<\/p>\n
He emphasized that respect for Syria\u2019s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity \u2014 \u201ccore principles of the UN Charter\u201d \u2014 is essential to regional stability.<\/p>\n
Yildiz said T\u00fcrkiye would continue supporting diplomatic efforts toward peace and stability in the Middle East and urged Israel to comply with international law and relevant Security Council resolutions.<\/p>\n
He called on Israel to \u201cengage constructively with Syria to create the conditions necessary for comprehensive peace.\u201d<\/p>\n