Flanked by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at a joint press conference inside the White House Monday, President Trump signed an official proclamation recognizing the Golan Heights as sovereign Israeli territory.
The Commander-in-Chief signed the order hours after a rocket attack from inside the Gaza Strip destroyed a home outside of Tel Aviv; prompting Netanyahu to cut-short his visit to Washington and return to Israel to oversee his military’s response.
NEW: President Trump signs a proclamation to recognize Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu https://t.co/Tct68IEMC9 pic.twitter.com/XPdzY9MamV
— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) March 25, 2019
“This was a long time in the making. It should’ve taken place many decades ago,” said the President at the signing ceremony.
Israel gained control of the Golan Heights during the Six Day War of 1967 and officially annexed the region into Israel in the early 1980s.
The international community considers the area “disputed territory” and views development and housing construction by the Jewish State as a violation of international law.
TRUMP: It’s Time to Recognize ‘Israel’s Sovereignty Over the Golan Heights’
President Trump called-on the United States government to officially recognize “Israel’s Sovereignty” over the Golan Heights Wednesday; ending decades of dispute after the Jewish State seized the territory during the Six-Day War of 1967.
“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!” tweeted the President.
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
Israel took control over the Golan Heights in 1967 and officially annexed the region in 1981.
The international community has yet to recognize Israel’s claim to the territory and views the construction of new settlements there as a violation of international law.
‘HE’S DONE IT AGAIN’: Netanyahu Thanks Trump for ‘Standing by Israel’ on Golan Heights
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly thanked President Trump Thursday after the Commander-in-Chief confirmed the Golan Heights was sovereign Israeli territory; saying Trump has once-again told the world that “America stands by Israel.”
Israeli PM Netanyahu: "President Trump has just made history. I called him. I thanked him on behalf of the people of Israel. He did it again."
Trump: "It is time" to recognize Israeli control of disputed Golan Heights territory https://t.co/sVo3zHVhvm pic.twitter.com/YqUjPjDNlv
— The Hill (@thehill) March 21, 2019
“President Trump has just made history. I called him and thanked him on behalf of the people of Israel. He did it again. First, he recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and moved the US embassy here, then he got out of the disastrous Iran treaty, and now recognized Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights,” said Netanyahu.
“The message that President Trump has given the world is that America stands by Israel,” he added.