The Golan Heights outside of negotiations: It is time for Israel to listen to Damascus's demands

Colombia's decision to recognize Israel's sovereignty in the Golan is much more than a specific political achievement. It proves that it is possible — and that Israel should make expanding international recognition of sovereignty in the Golan a clear political goal.

This is especially important now. While many countries in the world are rushing to follow Ahmad al-Shara, a terrorist in a suit, demands are once again being heard in Damascus to return the Golan to the negotiating table.

The Israeli response must be clear: when they try to return the Golan to the table in Damascus, we must act to take it off the table forever.

In recent months, we at the Golan Regional Council, together with Katzrin and the Druze councils, have been acting proactively on the international stage. About a month ago, we presented a plan to Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar to strengthen the Golan's international status, and last week we held another working meeting with him, in which we identified countries where there is a real opportunity to move toward recognition.

Minister Sa'ar committed to promoting the issue during his visit to South America. We, too, did not expect such a quick result. The Foreign Minister deserves great credit. Political courage is required to lead such a move, which is not taken for granted, and certainly at a time when part of the international community chooses to ignore the reality in Syria.

But recognition also has practical significance. We saw this after the American recognition of Israel's sovereignty in the Golan: it helped open doors for philanthropy, investments, academic and economic collaborations, and new international ties.

Strengthening the settlements

Every country that joins the circle of recognition makes it easier for the next country to join, and also for a fund, company, university, or investor to choose the Golan as a partner.

Therefore, Colombia is not the end of the process. It should be its beginning: one more country and another, until international recognition reflects what is already clear in Israel: the Golan is an inseparable part of the State of Israel, and its future here is in a broad Israeli consensus.

But recognition alone is not enough — sovereignty is achieved through actions. We must remain in the buffer zone and on the Hermon crest permanently, protect the Druze in Syria, and strengthen the settlements in the Golan.

During the war years, the Golan stood on the northeastern front, under constant threat, and at the same time, the communities continued to live, the farmers to work the land, the businesses to operate, and the settlements to grow.

Now I call on the people of Israel to be part of the next stage: come to the Golan. Travel here, stay for the night, buy Golan produce, invest in our businesses, and above all — come to build a home and a family here.

The Golan is not just our home. The Golan belongs to all the people of Israel. We will continue to fight for the home on the international stage as well, and at the same time fill it with more families, initiatives, businesses, and life.

Thank you, Colombia. Now it is time for other countries to join.

The author is the head of the Golan Regional Council.