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Trump formally recognises Israeli control of Golan Heights
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called US President Donald Trump’s official recognition of the Israeli sovereignty on the Golan Heights “historic”.
Netanyahu was by Trump’s side as he signed the proclamation in the White House yesterday. Trump announced his decision to grant US recognition last week, but Monday’s signing ceremony formalised the policy.
Trump said: “Today I am taking historic action to promote Israel’s ability to defend itself and really to have a very powerful, very strong national security, which they’re entitled to have. Today, aggressive action by Iran and terrorist groups in southern Syria, including Hezbollah, continue to make the Golan Heights a potential launching ground for attacks against Israel – very violent attacks, This should have been done numerous presidents ago.”
Netanyahu told reporters that Israel “shall never give [the Golan Heights] up” and told President Trump: “Your proclamation comes at a time when the Golan is more important than ever for our security.”
Syria’s Foreign Ministry called the US decision a “blatant attack on the sovereignty and territorial integrity” of Syria, according to a statement carried by state news agency SANA. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said it is impossible for Turkey to accept the formal recognition, adding that it plans to take action against the US at the UN.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said: “It is clear that the status of Golan has not changed”. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Monday: “The UN’s policy on the Golan is reflected in the relevant resolutions of the Security Council and that policy has not changed.”
The Foreign Office said in a statement last week: “The UK views the Golan Heights as territory occupied by Israel … We did not recognise Israel’s annexation in 1981 and have no plans to change our position.”
The US previously considered the Golan Heights as occupied territory, the final status of which would be settled as part of negotiations for a peace agreement between Israel and Syria.