Netanyahu told Obama Syrian civil war could affect Golan status — report

Netanyahu told Obama in their meeting Monday that the Syrian civil war has allowed “alternate thinking” on the issue of the Golan Heights, hinting that the US could recognize Israels’ de facto annexation of the territory, Haaretz reports.

According to the report, citing sources familiar with the closed door talks, Obama did not respond to Netanyahu’s comments.

Netanyahu told reporters after his meeting that he told Obama Israel will oppose any agreement in Syria that would allow Iran or its proxies to launch missiles at Israel.

He also reiterated his “red lines” vis-à-vis Syria, saying that he would not permit the smuggling of advanced weapons systems from Syria to Lebanon.

On Monday night, Netanyahu told the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank, that he told Russian President Vladimir Putin that he didn’t want Syria to be used as ” a launching ground to launch attacks” against Israel.

“We will not allow Iran to set up a second front in the Golan and will act forcefully and have acted forcefully to prevent that,” he said.

“The defense of Israel is what concerns me in Syria first and foremost,” he added.