It’s time to recognise Israel’s sovereignty over Golan Heights

Washington/Jerusalem: The US President, Donald Trump caused a sensation across the globe by announcing, “It’s time to recognise Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights”. Israel has welcomed President Trump’s decision. However, enraged over the situation, Syria has threatened to capture the Golan Heights by carrying out military action. “Israel’s illegal occupation over the Golan Heights cannot be recognised”, Turkish President Recep Erdogan warned. Moreover, the Middle Eastern analysts have expressed concerns over it saying that President Trump has given an open invitation to Iran and Syria to attack Israel by making the Golan announcement.

US President Trump made the critical declaration on Golan on social media, while the US State Secretary, Mike Pompeo was on a visit to Israel. Trump further said, “After 52 years, it is now time for the United States to fully recognise Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights, which is significant to strategic and security for the state of Israel and its regional stability”. Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu has warmly welcomed the declaration of US President Trump. Despite Iran using Syria for causing Israel’s destruction, US President Trump has displayed responsibility and taken the bold decision, appreciated Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. However, the decision has received various reactions the world over. The Arab nations have opposed the US decision and have announced to stand by Syria over the matter.

Whereas, Syria has threatened to capture the Golan Heights by carrying out a military attack, and the Syrian government has called the declaration by President Trump to be irresponsible.

In the 1967 war that sparked between Israel and the Arab nations which lasted for six days, Israel had won Syria’s Golan Heights. After the war, Israel had denied to give up its possession of the Golan Heights. Many alternatives are presented to Israel repeatedly to resolve their prolonged issues with Palestine after smoothening their relations with the Arab nations. It even includes the prospect of Israel compromising on its borders it had before 1967 and give up its possession over the Golan Heights. However, Israel firmly declined the offer by asserting that the Golan Heights are extremely important from the security point of view.

Even so, the US has not officially approved of Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights. Currently, the news had surfaced about Syria, who is backed by Russia and Iran of having initiated movements in the Golan region. However, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu sternly warned against it saying that if Syria, Iran and Iran-backed groups act against Israel, Syria would have to face adverse consequences. Against the background, US President recognising Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights comes as a shock to Syria, Iran as well as Russia simultaneously. Russia has criticised US President’s statement over the Golan Heights as well and claimed that it proves to be a breach of rules of the United Nations.

Moreover, Turkey criticised Trump’s decision and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu expressed concerns saying that the choice of President Trump is bound to spark violence.