Trump Defies Arabs, Recognizes Golan as Israeli Territory

By Nawal Sayed

CAIRO- March 25 (SEE) - US President Donald Trump signed a decree on Monday stating that the United States recognizes Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, territory that Israel seized from Syria in the 1967 Middle East war.

The decree’s signature came at the start of a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington.

On March 21, Trump posted a controversial tweet saying that it was time for the United States “to fully recognize” Israeli sovereignty over the Golan. The move appeared to give Netanyahu a boost ahead of the closely contested April 9 Israeli elections.

“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 wrote.

One day after Trump’s tweet, Egypt asserted that the Golan Heights is an Arab territory occupied by Israel on the basis of the international legality, most notably the UN Resolution No. 497/1981.

“Cairo also called on the international community to abide by the international laws and not allowing the seizure of territories,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.

The Arab League, European Union, Germany, Turkey, France, and Syrian President Al-Assad’s allies of Russia, and Iran rejected US decision, saying that such decision violates the international laws.

Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Abu el-Gheit said the US decision is “illegal and groundless Germany described Trump’s remarks as “unilateral steps.”

Golan Heights, located in western south of Syria, were occupied by Israeli forces during Arab-Israel War in 1967.

Syria attempted to restore its lands in the 1973 war, but its attempt had not succeeded. However, one year later, a truce was signed between Israel and Syrian and UN peacekeeping forces were deployed in the area.

In 1981, Israel announced the annexation of Golan Heights to its lands, the move has not recognized yet by the International Community and annulled by the UN Security Council Resolution.