President Trump declared Thursday that the United States should “fully recognize” Israel’s permanent control over the strategic Golan Heights — which it wrested from Syria in the 1967 Six-Day War.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly sought support from Trump and members of Congress for the action, which the New York Times calls “a significant shift of decades-long American policy.” Past U.S. administrations have refused to endorse permanent Israeli control over the nearly 700-square-mile region on Israel’s northeast border.
Netanyahu, who is seeking re-election in Israel’s parliamentary elections April 9, quickly posted a tweet of his own, thanking and praising Trump.
“Israel has sought international recognition of its sovereignty over the Golan territory for years, but Netanyahu has intensified the effort with U.S. officials and lawmakers over the past several months,” says the Washington Post, noting that Netanyahu has strong allies in Congress, including Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Ted Cruz (R-TX).
Graham praised Trump for his action, and tweeted that he and Cruz “will try to get Congress to follow your lead.”
Netanyahu is in a tight race for re-election with former Israeli military chief of staff Benny Gantz. Both men have called for permanent Israeli sovereignty over the Golan.
“Netanyahu, who is battling corruption allegations, has repeatedly boasted of his strong relationship with Trump and the achievement of securing the U.S. recognition of Jerusalem last year,” the Post says.
Netanyahu will visit the White House next week for meetings with Trump and a private dinner.
