Golan Heights will stay with Israel: Prime Minister Netanyahu

Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced, ‘The Golan Heights is an integral part of Israel and Israel would continue to have its sovereign right over them even in the future. No one can deny Israel the right over Golan.’

A few weeks ago, Syria, who is bolstered due to the Russian support, had claimed that the Golan was its territory and had appealed to the United Nations to respond in the matter. Also, Iran had supported the Syrian claim. At the United Nations, discussions and voting over the matter of Golan Heights were carried out even in the past. At the time, the United States, Australia and other European allies had appealed to Israel to let go of its rights over the Golan. Moreover, the Obama administration had taken an assertive stance in the matter.

Nevertheless, the US ambassador to the United Nations (UN), Nikki Haley, voted against the Syrian resolution accepting the Israeli right over the Golan two days ago. Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed gratitude towards the United States for supporting Israel at the United Nations meeting. At the same time, Prime Minister Netanyahu asserted that no one could take away Israel’s right over the Golan.

Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad declared that the Golan would soon be under the Syrian control while talking to the western media. Assad had warned Israel that Syria would soon decide on the Golan Heights. Also, as per the received information, a few weeks ago, the Hezbollah terrorists and the Iranian soldiers had gathered in large numbers at the Golan Heights region.

Israeli military took over the Golan from Syria in the 1967 war. Syria had then appealed for the region to be returned to it but, Israel had blatantly refused. During the Obama administration in the United States, a proposal for Israel to compromise on its borders that existed prior to 1967 and give up its authority over the Golan. However, Israel would not give it up even if, it meant going to war, Prime Minister Netanyahu had threatened.

The Syrian confidence may well have been bolstered owing to the Russian support, but Israel would not retreat on the Golan, Prime Minister Netanyahu asserted.