Trump Recognizes Israeli Sovereignty Over Golan Heights While Attacking Iran

On Monday, April 5, the U.S. President recognized Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights during a ceremony at the White House attended by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Before signing the decree in front of cameras, Donald Trump met and held a working discussion with Netanyahu, who traveled to Washington on Sunday. Just five days earlier, Trump had tweeted that 'after 52 years, it is time for the U.S. to fully recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights.' Israel took control of the Golan Heights from Syria during the Six-Day War in 1967 and formally annexed the region in 1981, a move that faced strong criticism and opposition from the international community. The U.S. is the first country to accept Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights following Trump's signature. Trump stated, 'My administration is taking a historic step to enhance Israel's ability to defend itself.' He added that 'Iran's actions in Syria and terrorist groups in southern Syria, including Hezbollah, have turned the Golan into a potential launchpad for attacks against Israel, and we do not want to see attacks from there similar to the ones that occurred this morning from Gaza against Tel Aviv.' Trump referred to a Palestinian rocket attack from Gaza that destroyed a home in Tel Aviv and injured seven family members. He emphasized that 'under my administration, the U.S.-Israel alliance is stronger than ever, Jerusalem is the capital of the Jewish nation, and we moved the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, which Israel has long sought.' He also referenced the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA, the nuclear deal with Iran, last May, stating, 'Sanctions have had a significant impact, and Iran is no longer the country it was when I took office; we are not afraid of a dictatorship that chants 'Death to America' and 'Death to Israel' and calls for the slaughter of the Jewish people; we will not give them the opportunity to even think about doing that.' Trump described Netanyahu as 'a special man who is a pleasure to work with' and mentioned that he discussed important Middle Eastern issues with him during their working talks. Netanyahu, in turn, called the recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights essential to prevent attacks from Israel's enemies and warmly thanked the U.S. President. Vice President Mike Pence, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Senior Advisor Jared Kushner, the Middle East peace negotiation team, and the ambassadors of the U.S. and Israel were also present at the ceremony. Meanwhile, the Syrian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Monday evening, emphasizing that it views Washington's action as 'an open attack on Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity.' According to SANA, Syria's official news agency, an official from the Syrian Foreign Ministry added that the U.S. decision 'demonstrates a disregard for international legitimacy, and Trump has no right to approve and endorse Israeli occupation.' The international community has recently stated that it will not follow the U.S. action and will not recognize the Golan as part of Israel's official territory. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has strongly opposed the U.S. decision, asserting that he will challenge it through international organizations. In this context, widespread reactions have emerged regarding Trump's tweet about Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, with the Arab League and Turkey calling Trump's position 'illegal.' Pompeo suggested that perhaps God sent Trump to save the Jews from the threat of Iran.