President Trump announced Thursday the U.S. will recognize Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights.
“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!” 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!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 21, 2019
The announcement comes just weeks before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is facing potential criminal corruption charges, is up for re-election. Netanyahu, who has leaned heavily on Trump’s support, praised the announcement Thursday.
Speaking beside Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Israel on Thursday, Netanyahu thanked Trump for recognizing the region.
“President Trump has just made history,” Netanyahu said. “He did it again. First, he recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and moved the U.S. embassy here, then he pulled out of the disastrous Iran treaty and re-imposed sanctions, but now he did something of equal historic importance.”
The prime minister also tweeted about the decision, writing: “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!”
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! @realDonaldTrump
— Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) March 21, 2019
Sen. Lindsay Graham, R-S.C., met with Netanyahu earlier this month and said he would urge Trump to endorse Israeli sovereignty over the region. Last month Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., and Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., introduced companion bills “[c]larifying that it is the United States Policy to recognize Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights.”
[Related: Netanyahu hastily deletes tweet calling for ‘war with Iran’]
Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in 1967 and approved de facto annexation for the region in 1981. The United Nations Security Council demanded Israel rescind annexation in a 1997 resolution, declaring the move “null and void and without international legal effect.”
The region is of crucial national security importance to Israel due to the threat from Iran-backed terrorist group Hezbollah and ongoing tumult from the Syrian civil war.
Netanyahu will be visiting Washington, D.C. next week to meet with Trump and others. He faces re-election on April 9.
