Trump to Sign Order Recognizing Israeli Sovereignty Over Golan Heights

Israel Katz, acting Foreign Minister of Israel, stated that Donald Trump, the President of the United States, will sign an order recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights during a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, April 5. Netanyahu arrived in Washington on Sunday, April 4, for a meeting with Trump and to speak at the annual AIPAC conference. Last Thursday, Trump tweeted that 'after 52 years, it is time for the United States to fully recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, which is of strategic importance for Israel and the region,' although he did not specify a date for implementing this position. Israeli media strongly suggested that this order would be signed during Netanyahu's visit to Washington; according to reports, Israel Katz confirmed this assessment on Sunday. Trump is formalizing his position on Israeli sovereignty over the Golan at a time when Syria and the international community have reacted strongly to this decision, with the European Union stating it will not follow this position. Israel occupied a large part of the Syrian Golan Heights during the June 1967 war. UN Security Council Resolution 242 called for the return of all territories taken by Israel from Syria and other Arab countries. However, the Israeli government at the time officially annexed the Golan in 1981, having built dozens of cities and settlements there and settled thousands of Israelis. No U.S. administration has recognized this annexation, and U.S. State Department documents until two years ago referred to these areas as 'occupied.' Netanyahu welcomed Trump's decision to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan, calling it a 'Purim miracle.' Both Trump and Netanyahu denied any connection between this decision and the suspicion of U.S. assistance to Netanyahu's re-election in the upcoming Israeli elections in two weeks. Shelly Yachimovich, a leader of the Labor Party and the Israeli opposition, stated that the opposition also views the recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan as a diplomatic success, but the timing raises suspicions of U.S. interference in the Israeli elections. However, according to Walla, Benny Gantz, leader of the Blue and White coalition and Netanyahu's main rival in this election cycle, said on Sunday at the AIPAC conference in Washington that he does not believe President Trump is seeking to interfere in the Israeli elections. Meanwhile, the Druze Arabs living in the Golan, who remain loyal to Syria, have begun protests against this decision, stating they will continue their demonstrations.