Is this a violation of a ceasefire agreement?

And it shows a major problem with reaching agreements with our neighbours

Because the IDF has taken control of the buffer zone between Israel and Syria, the UN and news sites and international bodies antagonistic to Israel are maligning Israel for violating the 1974 disengagement agreement with Syria that ended the Yom Kippur War (of which Syria was one of the instigators). In contrast, there are news sites that present some balance by pointing out at least one of the following:

1. that the Syrian Army abandonned its posts (for example, here), or

2. that the UN forces who maintained the buffer zone came under attack and the IDF helped them repel the attackers (for example, here).

Few mention both these points, something that should provide justification for Israel’s move into the buffer zone for anyone wanting to understand it. After all, Israel cannot passively let the rebels seeking to control Syria, control the buffer zone. The rebels are largely Islamist groups, one of whom has announced to the Jews that they are on their way to Jerusalem.

He is saying that the IDF Chief of Staff has said that Syria is one front in this war. Then he asks his fellows: Where are we going? And they answer: To Jerusalem. He ends with: We are coming, Jews.

Perhaps some believe this seemingly sincere plea to Israelis. Script below the video.

My name is Rarib Shaadat and I am talking with the Israeli channel Kann 11. Our dear and beloved neighbours in the valued State of Israel, I am talking with you now with happiness filling my heart and the hearts of all residents of Daraa, the happiness fills the hearts of all residents of Horan after the collapse of the regime, at the end of 40 years during which he crushed us, after 40 years of oppression. I turn to you on my behalf and on behalf of all the people of Horan and Daraa and the rest of Syria, the time ahead of us will be a time of harmony, a time of love, and a time of peace with Israel. There is no place for extremists; there is no place for extremists; there is no place for extremists; there is place only for love and peace. May Israel come and invest here.

Anyone who believes this probably still believes we can expect Hamas and Hezbollah to uphold any deals they make with us. And perhaps they even still believe in the viability of the two-state-solution.

While I do believe the sincerity of Fahad Almasri, President of the The Syrian National Salvation Front, whom I have interviewed, the Syrians have a long way to go to stabilize their country and begin to build a democratic society before we can allow ourselves to contemplate believing such talk.

But, of course, this matters not to the UN and others who hate Jews and Israel. The fact that the IDF now controls the buffer zone between Israel and Syria corresponds with their view of Israel a criminal entity.

This very narrow Buffer Zone, that was part of the arrangement that ended the war between Israel and Syria in 1974, is all that is separating the rebel forces from coming across land (very hilly and high lands) into Israeli communities on the Golan.

Image slightly modified version of the original that appeared in the BBC article cited here.

Given that the Syrian army abandonned their posts and the UN forces needed Israel’s help to repel the rebels who sought to oust them from their posts, do you think Israel merits such alarm-filled headlines such as these:

• UN slams ‘violation’ of 1974 Syria disengagement deal as Israel acts in buffer zone

• Egypt accuses Israel of 'exploiting power vacuum' after seizing Golan Heights buffer zone

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu says that our presence there is essential for protecting the Israeli population. He implies that it is temporary. How long is temporary? That remains to be seen.

When reaching agreements with our neighbours, are we really making an agreement with a country or with the ruling regime at the moment of signing it? When the regime changes, as is now happening in Syria, what does that mean for the deal signed with the ousted ruling family?

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