Middle East Eye
centerREPORTIsraeli settler group calls for seizing crops in occupied Syrian land

Full BriefGenerated 82d ago
What Happened
The Israeli settler group Pioneers of Bashan publicly called for seizing and cultivating crops on land occupied by Israel in Syria’s Quneitra and Daraa governorates, claiming that about 2,000 tons of wheat were harvested in the ‘small Quneitra District alone’ this year and that the yield would increase if the land were worked by ‘pioneering Jews, instead of Hamas-supporting Sunnis.’ The group, founded in April 2025 after the fall of the Assad government, advocates Israeli settlement in Syria. Separately, on Sunday, Israeli forces entered the village of Abidin in Daraa; residents attempted to block the road with stones, and Israeli forces responded with artillery fire, causing residents to flee to nearby villages overnight, according to state media. Syria’s foreign ministry condemned the incursions and artillery shelling as a ‘blatant violation of Syrian sovereignty.’
Key Actors
- ·Pioneers of Bashan(Israeli settler group advocating settlement in Syria)Called for seizing and cultivating crops in occupied Syrian territory in Quneitra and Daraa, citing existing wheat harvests.
- ·Israeli forces(Military units operating in the Daraa governorate)Pushed into Abidin village, fired artillery after residents blocked the road with stones, causing civilian displacement.
- ·Syrian Foreign Ministry(Government authority representing the Syrian state)Condemned the incursions and shelling as violations of Syrian sovereignty and territorial integrity.
- ·Amichai Chikli(Israeli Minister of Diaspora Affairs)Warned of a ‘radical Sunni axis of evil’ including Syria, Pakistan, Turkey, and Qatar, framing the new Syrian government as a jihadist threat.
Why It Matters
The settler group’s call to exploit Syrian land signals an expansionist settler agenda beyond the Golan Heights into areas captured after Assad’s fall, potentially altering the de facto borders. Concurrent Israeli military push into Daraa and aggressive rhetoric from Israeli officials, including framing Syria as a jihadist haven, risk converting low-level tensions into open conflict between Israel and the new Syrian government, complicating regional stability and international law regarding occupation.
Watch For
Monitor whether Israeli authorities endorse or facilitate the Pioneers of Bashan’s agricultural exploitation plans, indicating state backing for de facto annexation. Track further Israeli military incursions and responses from Damascus or local communities. Watch for escalation in official Israeli discourse—especially from ministers like Chikli—that could set the stage for broader operations. Also note Syria’s diplomatic moves and potential international reactions.
Generated 82d ago · Based on full articleAuto-Compiled
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