WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump has said it is time for the United States to recognise Israel’s control over the disputed Golan Heights.The announcement signals a shift in US policy and comes ahead of the Israeli prime minister’s planned visit next week to the White House. The administration has been considering recognising Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan, which Israel captured from Syria in 1967.Last week, in its annual human rights report, the State Department dropped the phrase “Israeli-occupied” from the Golan Heights section, instead calling it “Israeli-controlled”. Trump tweeted: “After 52 years it is time for the United States to fully recognize Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights, which is of critical strategic and security importance to the State of Israel and Regional Stability!”Minutes later, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tweeted his appreciation. “At a time when Iran seeks to use Syria as a platform to destroy Israel, President Trump boldly recognizes Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. Thank you President Trump!”In addition to its policies towards the Palestinians, the US has taken a hard line towards Iran, much to Netanyahu’s delight. Trump’s announcement came as secretary of state Mike Pompeo is in Jerusalem, lauding warm ties with Israel and promising to step up pressure on Iran. Pompeo’s words gave a public boost to the Israeli leader at the height of a tight re-election campaign. Netanyahu is to be in Washington for two days next week—two weeks before Israel’s April 9 ballot.Israel captured east Jerusalem and the Old City in the 1967 Middle East war, and for decades US officials refrained from visiting the Western Wall with Israeli leaders to avoid the appearance of recognising Israeli sovereignty over the city’s most sensitive holy sites.The Palestinians seek east Jerusalem as the capital of a future state. But the Trump administration has upended the longstanding policy, moving the US embassy to Jerusalem last year after recognising the city as Israel’s capital. Israel claims all of Jerusalem as its eternal and indivisible capital.
03-22-2019, 09:10 AM
Trump backs Israel?s sovereignty over Golan Heights
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