In interview, Sa’ar says Israel seeks security deal with Syria, has no territorial ambitions

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar says that Israel is interested in a security-based understanding with Syria, emphasizing that Jerusalem is not seeking to expand its territorial footprint there and that its focus remains on preventing cross-border threats.

Speaking to Al Arabiya English, Sa’ar says Israel’s goal is to ensure that Syrian territory is not used as a platform for attacks, arguing that a security arrangement could benefit both sides. He rejects suggestions that Israel harbors territorial ambitions in Syria, saying its actions over the years demonstrate otherwise.

“We never had territorial ambitions in Syria – if we did, we could have taken more [territory],” he says.

Saar also addresses Israel’s northern front, saying that Israeli military activity in Lebanon is aimed at countering Hezbollah rather than infringing on Lebanese sovereignty. He describes Israel’s disputes with Lebanon as limited and solvable, but says Hezbollah — backed by Iran — continues to destabilize the country and block prospects for peace. Israel, he says, seeks normalization with Beirut but views the dismantling of Hezbollah as essential.

On Iran, Sa’ar warns that Tehran’s nuclear ambitions pose a threat well beyond Israel, pointing to US participation alongside Israel in strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities during a brief conflict in June as evidence of the broader concern.

Discussing Gaza, Sa’ar says Israel hopes the current ceasefire can advance but reiterates that Hamas’s continued military presence prevents a lasting resolution.

“We will not live with a terrorist state on our border,” he emphasizes.

Sa’ar also weighs in on the recent deadly attack in Sydney, saying it underscored the failure of the international community to adequately confront rising antisemitism, particularly in online spaces, and calls on Western governments to respond more forcefully.