Donald Trump signs document recognising Israel’s sovereignty over Golan Heights
President stands alongside Israel's PM and declares that 'aggressive action by Iran' and Syrian groups make the territory a 'launching ground' for attacks against Israel
President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation recognising Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights, reversing more than a half-century of US policy.
Standing alongside Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, Mr Trump made formal a move he announced in a tweet last week.
The president said it was time for the US to take the step after 52 years of Israeli control of the strategic highlands on the border with Syria.
Mr Netanyahu had pressed for such recognition for months.
Mr Trump’s action on Monday gives him a political boost weeks before what is expected to be a close Israeli election.
Israel captured the Golan from Syria in the 1967 Mideast war but its sovereignty over the territory is not recognised by the international community.
“Today, aggressive action by Iran and terrorist groups in southern Syria, including Hezbollah, continue to make the Golan Heights a potential launching ground for attacks against Israel – very violent attacks,” Mr Trump said.
“This should have been done numerous presidents ago,” Mr Trump said.
PM Netanyahu: "Your proclamation comes at a time when the Golan is more important than ever for our security, when Iran is trying to establish bases in Syria to strike at Israel. From across the border in Syria, Iran launched drones into our airspace, missiles into our territory" pic.twitter.com/H3KUCQPIqQ
— PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) March 25, 2019
The two leaders met as the Israeli military was striking Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip in response to a rocket that hit a house north of Tel Aviv and wounded seven people.
“Israel is responding forcefully to this wanton aggression,” said Mr Netanyahu, who planned to return to Israel to manage the attack following his meeting with Mr Trump and other US officials, including Vice President Mike Pence.
He added: “Israel will not tolerate this. I will not tolerate it.”
In a speech earlier Monday, Mr Pence said the rocket attack “proves that Hamas is not a partner for peace”.
Mr Pence told the American Israel Public Affairs Committee that “Hamas is a terrorist organisation that seeks the destruction of Israel, and the United States will never negotiate with terrorist Hamas”.
Syria reacted angrily to the signing ceremony, saying the decision made Washington “the main enemy” of Arabs.
Damascus called the US decision a “slap” to the international community.
Syria’s foreign ministry branded the decision a “blatant aggression” on its own sovereignty and territorial integrity, adding that the US move represents the “highest level of contempt for international legitimacy”.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
