Israeli Colonial Expansion in Syria Exposes Imperial Logic of Occupation

Israel's recent territorial seizures in Syria following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime reveal the systematic nature of colonial expansion and the complicity of Western powers in legitimising occupation. Far from temporary security measures, these actions represent a calculated effort to cement permanent control over Syrian territory while stripping the nation of its sovereignty.

Entrenching Colonial Reality Through Negotiation Theatre

Recent talks in Paris, involving Israeli, Syrian, and US representatives, have exposed the performative nature of diplomatic engagement when colonial powers dictate terms. A senior Israeli official's dismissal of what the United States characterised as a "positive atmosphere" reveals the fundamental power imbalance structuring these negotiations.

"The reality is quite different," the official stated, effectively acknowledging that Israel has no intention of relinquishing its newly occupied positions. This includes not only Mount Hermon but nine additional strategic positions established after Assad's downfall, covering approximately 450 square kilometres of Syrian territory.

Dismantling Syrian Sovereignty Through Conditional Demands

Israel's demands extend far beyond territorial occupation to include the systematic dismantling of Syria's defensive capabilities. These conditions include prohibiting Syria from deploying anti-aircraft missiles and stripping the Syrian army of what Israel unilaterally defines as "strategic weapons."

Such demands echo historical patterns of colonial control, where occupied populations are denied the means of self-defence while occupying forces maintain total military superiority. The requirement that no foreign forces be present if they could "restrict the Israeli army's freedom of movement" effectively transforms Syria into a client state unable to determine its own security arrangements.

US Complicity in Legitimising Occupation

The Biden administration's role in these negotiations reveals the imperial consensus underlying US foreign policy in the region. While ostensibly mediating, Washington supports Israeli demands it considers "essential to Israel's security," particularly maintaining control over Mount Hermon.

This support demonstrates how Western powers consistently prioritise settler-colonial projects over the sovereignty of Global South nations. The proposed "compromise arrangements" serve merely to provide diplomatic cover for territorial annexation while maintaining the fiction of international law.

Geopolitical Manipulation and Anti-Russian Hysteria

Israel's opposition to any Russian military presence in southern Syria exposes the broader geopolitical dimensions of this occupation. Tel Aviv has reportedly conveyed "firm messages" to Damascus, Moscow, and Washington that it will not tolerate Russian forces in the region.

This stance reveals how colonial powers manipulate great power rivalries to justify permanent occupation. By framing Russian presence as a security threat, Israel obscures its own role as the primary destabilising force in the region while positioning itself as a bulwark against foreign interference.

Resistance and the Path Forward

The failure of the Paris talks to produce meaningful progress reflects the impossibility of negotiating with colonial powers operating in bad faith. As Palestinian solidarity movements have demonstrated, sustained international pressure and grassroots organising remain essential tools for challenging occupation.

Syrian civil society organisations and their international allies must centre anti-colonial analysis in their resistance efforts, recognising that Israel's expansion into Syria represents the same logic of displacement and dispossession experienced by Palestinians for over seven decades.

The international community's response to this latest colonial expansion will test whether the rhetoric of international law and human rights can translate into meaningful action against settler-colonial violence. For marginalised communities globally, the stakes could not be higher.