US President Donald Trump formally recognised Israeli control over the Golan Heights on Monday, in what Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called a “historic” decision.
Prime Minister Netanyahu was by President Trump’s side as he signed the proclamation in the White House. President Trump announced his decision to grant US recognition last week, but Monday’s signing ceremony formalised the policy.
President 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”.
The US decision prompted rebuke from Syria, Turkey, and Russia. 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.
The Government said that the UK’s position on the Golan Heights has not changed.
The US previously considered the legal status of the Golan Heights as being occupied territory, which would be settled as part of negotiations for a peace agreement between Israel and Syria.
Located between Syria and Jordan, the Golan Heights in the north east of Israel was part of south western Syria until June 1967, when Israel took control of the area during the Six Day War after facing existential threats from neighbouring Arab countries.
In October 1973, Egypt and Syria mounted a surprise attack against Israel in the Sinai and the Golan Heights on Yom Kippur, the most holy day of the Jewish year. After early military gains, the Arab armies were driven back by Israel before a UN ceasefire took effect.
In 1981, Israel annexed the Golan Heights, and the area has been under Israeli law, jurisdiction, and administration ever since.
Before the outbreak of Syria’s civil war, many Israelis were prepared to relinquish parts of the Golan as part of the ‘land for peace’ principle.
