Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that while his government is open to a security deal with Syria, he demands that the Jewish state’s northern neighbor establish a “demilitarized buffer zone” between Damascus and the Israeli-controlled area surrounding Mount Hermon.

“We hold these territories to ensure the security of the citizens of Israel, and that is what obligates us,” he said in a statement. “In a good spirit and understanding of these principles, it is also possible to reach an agreement with the Syrians, but we will stand by our principles in any case.”