Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said Monday he plans to speak to President Trump about having the U.S. formally recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights.
Graham made the comments as he was touring the region with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, Haaretz reports. Graham said he would work with Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, to push for U.S. recognition.
“Working with Senator Cruz, I will start an effort to recognize the Golan as part of the State of Israel now and forever,” Graham said. “Israel occupied this territory by fighting for its survival.”
Netanyahu has brought the matter to the White House, and Cruz and Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., issued a January statement supporting U.S. recognition of the territory.
Last month Cruz, Cotton, and Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., followed through on the January statement, introducing companion bills “[c]larifying that it is the United States Policy to recognize Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights.”
Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria during the Six-Day War in 1967. The country approved de facto annexation of the territory in 1981, but the United Nations Security Council approved a resolution later that year that declared the move “null and void and without international legal effect” and demanded it rescind the decision. The region bears national security importance for Israel due to the ongoing civil war in Syria and threats from Iran-backed terrorist organization Hezbollah.
Netanyahu tweeted out a photo with Graham and Friedman in the Golan Heights on Monday. “With my good friend, Senator @LindseyGrahamSC, today in the Golan Heights. The Golan Heights will always be part of Israel. It is important that the international community, especially our great friend the United States, recognizes this fact and accepts it,” he said.
With my good friend, Senator @LindseyGrahamSC, today in the Golan Heights. The Golan Heights will always be part of Israel. It is important that the international community, especially our great friend the United States, recognizes this fact and accepts it. pic.twitter.com/joXEB9URX7
— Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) March 11, 2019
Netanyahu is facing an election in April that has been complicated by the possibility he will be indicted on criminal corruption charges.
