Egypt: Golan Heights are Syrian Occupied Lands

CAIRO - 22 March 2019: Egypt strongly condemned U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision of recognizing Israel’s sovereignty over the Syrian occupied Golan Heights.

“Egypt affirmed its upright stance towards Syrian Golan Heights as an Arab occupied territory in on the basis of the international legality, on top of which is the UN Security Council Resolution No. 497 (1981), which annulled laws imposed by Israel on the occupied Golan Heights,” said the Egyptian Foreign Ministry in statement on Friday.

Cairo also called on the international community to abide by the international laws and not allowing the seizure of territories, the statement added.

On his Twitter account, President Trump said that the United Stated should change its strategy and recognize Israel’s sovereignty over Syrian Golan Heights, a move stirred the Arab and international community’s discontent.

After 52 years it is time for the United States to fully recognize Israel’s Sovereignty over the Golan Heights, which is of critical strategic and security importance to the State of Israel and Regional Stability!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 21, 2019

Trump’s remarks were welcomed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, thanking Trump for his stance.

At a time when Iran seeks to use Syria as a platform to destroy Israel, President Trump boldly recognizes Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. Thank you President Trump! @realDonaldTrump

— Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) March 21, 2019

Despite Syria did not issue an official response, an official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Syrian News Agency SANA that Syria strongly condemned the irresponsible comments stated by the U.S. President, saying “such comments affirmed U.S.’s blind bias towards the occupying Zionist entity.”

Before a dinner with Netanyahu, US Secretary of State Pompeo said that Trump had made a decision to recognize Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan.

.@SecPompeo: “Tonight President Trump made the decision to recognize...[the Golan Heights] is proper to b استياءe a sovereign part of the State of Israel. The people of Israel should know the battles they fought, the lives that they lost on that very ground, were worthy and meaningful.” pic.twitter.com/o7K3il7mKk

— Department of State (@StateDept) March 22, 2019

Remarks rejected globally

The Arab League, European Union, Germany, Turkey, France, and Syrian President Al-Assad’s allies of Russia, and Iran rejected US decision, saying that such decision violates the international laws.

Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Abu el-Gheit said the US decision is “illegal and groundless Germany described Trump’s remarks as “unilateral steps.”

Golan Heights, which locate in western south of Syria, were occupied by Israeli forces during Arab-Israel War in 1967. Syria attempted to restore its lands in the 1973 war, but its attempt had not succeeded. However, one year later, a truce was signed between Israel and Syrian and UN peacekeeping forces were deployed in the area.

In 1981, Israel announced the annexation of Golan Heights to its lands, the move has not recognized yet by the International Community and annulled by the UNSC resolution.