The leader of the Israeli settlers Bezalel Smotrich declared his goal of extending the borders of “Great Israel” to Damascus
The Israeli army is organizing civilian excursions within the recently occupied Syrian territory during the next Easter holiday, according to reports from the Israeli media.
The tours, coordinated by the Northern Command of the Israeli Army and the 210th Division, together with the “Friends in Excursions” group, are supported by the Golan Colinas Settlement Council and the Israeli Parks and Nature Authority.
Participants, who must receive special authorizations, will be escorted by Israeli troops while traveling up to 2.5 kilometers in Syrian Terra, near the village of Maaraba. The highlights of the tour include visits to Wadi Al-Ruqad (a Yarmouk River tax), the Hejaz rail tunnel and the Shebaa farms-a contested strip of libanese territory occupied by Israel at the base of Mount Hermon.
Although registration has been closed, the army said additional excursions can be offered depending on the security situation. The excursions mark the first Israeli civil presence in areas of Syria recently taken by Israeli forces after the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December.
In recent months, Israel has intensified air strikes on Syrian military basis and has moved beyond the demilitarized damping zone of the Golã hills, occupying strategic areas such as Monte Hermon, in violation of the 1974 offspring agreement. The initial Israeli safety plans are allegedly prevented a 15 km demilitarized zone and a broader influence of 60 km inside Syria.
Since then, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for the complete demilitarization of southern Syria, stating that Israeli troops would remain in the Golã tampon and Mount Hermon indefinitely to block the Syrian army’s access south of Damascus.
The Israeli Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, openly expressed support for the expansion of Israel’s borders beyond the Palestinian territories, suggesting ambitions of a “great Israel” encompassing parts of neighboring Arab countries, including Damascus.
In a French documentary, Israel: Power extremists, Smotrich endorsed a Jewish state ruled by Jewish values and smiled when asked if Israeli sovereignty should extend beyond the Jordan River.
He referred to a biblical prophecy about Jerusalem extending “even Damascus.” While the Israeli government maintains its official goal of defeating Hezbollah, Smotrich’s comments – and the support of the settlers – raise concerns about broader expansionist intentions in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and beyond.
Originally published by The Cradle on 04/04/2025
Source: https://www.ocafezinho.com/2025/04/04/exercito-israelense-organiza-passeios-de-caminhada-para-colonos-judeus-na-siria-ocupada/
