On Monday, the United States officially recognized Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, adding another accomplishment for an administration that has been lauded for its pro-Israel agenda that includes recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of the Jewish state and relocating the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.
U.S. President Donald Trump signed a proclamation to make what he tweeted last week become official.
“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!” he posted on Twitter.
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
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, originally in the United States for the annual AIPAC conference in Washington and standing by Trump’s side at the White House, called the decision a “historic justice” and a “diplomatic victory.”
“Israel won the Golan Heights in a just war of defense,” he added, referring to the 1967 Six-Day War and Israel’s control of the Golan Heights since then.
Trump’s move comes as Netanyahu faces a close re-election battle on April 9, in which this new achievement will likely been seen as a political and diplomatic boost, in addition to a boon to Israeli national security.
The Israeli premier cut his trip short after a long-range missile was launched from the Gaza Strip and hit central Israel on Monday, destroying a home and injuring seven people.
It is currently unknown whether or not Netanyahu will address the AIPAC conference remotely.
He said that Israel is in the midst of “responding forcefully” to the attack, even calling up air-force reserves.
Along those lines, Trump stated that “we do not want to see another attack like the one suffered this morning north of Tel Aviv.”
