Syria after Assad: How Israeli settlers are trying to establish new facts on the ground

Since the 2024 collapse of the Assad government and the subsequent expansion of Israel’s occupation of the Golan Heights beyond the 1974 ceasefire line into southern Syria, a number of right-wing groups have advocated the establishment of Jewish settlements on this land. 

Among the most prominent is Halutzei HaBashan (“Pioneers of Bashan”), a movement launched last year by settlers from the occupied West Bank. Taking advantage of the Israeli military’s incursions, they have been calling for the construction of Israeli settlements in southwestern Syria, an area they call the Bashan region, which they view as part of the historic “Land of Israel”.

In addition to organising marches into Syrian territory and attempting to establish new facts on the ground, the group has demanded protection from Israeli occupation forces, despite occasional clashes.

The first documented incursion by settlers from Halutzei HaBashan occurred in August 2025, when they announced the establishment of Neveh HaBashan (“Oasis of Bashan”) – even laying a foundation stone in the Quneitra countryside. Israeli soldiers ultimately intervened and removed the group’s members.

Another notable attempt took place last November, when settlers associated with the movement crossed the 1974 ceasefire line into the Syrian village of Bir Ajam, and declared their intention to establish a settlement there. 

And this past April, around 40 settlers associated with Halutzei HaBashan entered the village of Hader on the slopes of Mount Hermon, taking over a building and hoisting Israeli flags.

While Israeli police have warned that crossing into Syria or Lebanon is a criminal offence punishable by up to four years in prison, the settler group has yet to face any tangible legal consequences. This raises concerns about the long-term implications of their incursions, as Israeli authorities have seemingly turned a blind eye to these infractions. 

Lack of political will

Israeli settlements are considered illegal under international law, but Israeli politicians and even ministers have expressed support for Halutzei HaBashan’s objectives in Syria. Such statements, combined with the lack of any formal condemnation of the group’s illegal activities, contribute to perceptions of political tolerance.

This is despite the fact that the Israeli army has consistently acted to prevent settlers from establishing a permanent presence on Syrian land, demanding a halt to such activity, which it deems “a criminal offence that endangers civilians and [Israeli military] forces”.

After the April incursion by Halutzei HaBashan, participants were reportedly transferred to Israeli police custody for questioning, but there was no announcement of charges or criminal proceedings. This raises questions about the state’s will to establish any measures of deterrence against future incursions.

Under international law, areas of southern Syria that came under Israeli military control after December 2024 are viewed as occupied territory. Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention explicitly prohibits the establishment of civilian settlements in occupied areas. This means, beyond direct governmental transfer, the Israeli state must not support or facilitate the activities of settler movements like Halutzei HaBashan.

Israeli authorities thus have an obligation to ensure effective law enforcement against unauthorised incursions, and to protect the rights and properties of the population living under military occupation. Their response so far has done little to ensure this duty is met.

At the same time, the recent settler incursions into southern Syria mark a clear attempt to replicate what has developed over decades in the occupied West Bank. There, ongoing Israeli settlement expansion has been enabled by the creation of facts on the ground, starting with the establishment of civilian outposts that later receive formal governmental authorisation. 

In both the occupied West Bank and Syria, settler movements rely heavily on historical, biblical and nationalist narratives to justify their activities, portraying their incursions as an attempt to reclaim part of the “ancestral homeland” of the Jewish people.

Alongside the implications from an international law standpoint, the recent actions by Halutzei HaBashan should raise a red flag for the Syrian government, which must take all available legal and diplomatic measures to ensure that no illegal settlements are established in areas occupied by the Israeli military after the fall of the Assad regime.

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Eye.