Donald Trump backs Israeli sovereignty in Golan Heights

Donald Trump has backed US recognition of the Golan Heights as part of Israel in a major boost to Benjamin Netanyahu.

Donald Trump will welcome Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House next week. Picture: AFP.

Donald Trump has backed US recognition of the Golan Heights as part of Israel in a major boost to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The president’s surprise move comes ahead of a visit to the White House next week by Mr Netanyahu who faces an election on April 9 at a time when he is dogged by a bribery and corruption scandal.

“After 52 years it is time for the United States to fully recognise Israel’s Sovereignty over the Golan Heights, which is of critical strategic and security importance to the State of Israel and Regional Stability,” Mr Trump tweeted.

Mr Netanyahu responded with a tweet saying: “At a time when Iran seeks to use Syria as a platform to destroy Israel, President Trump boldly recognises Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. Thank you President Trump!”

Mr Netanyahu has been lobbying the US to recognise Israeli sovereignty over the strategic western Golan Heights which were captured from Syria in the Six-Day War of 1967 and annexed by Israel in 1981.

The Golan Heights is viewed by the international community as occupied territory so Mr Trump’s call to recognise it as a part of Israel is significant.

It is the latest in a series of moves by the president to forge closer ties with Israel during this administration.

In December 2017 he recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel by moving the US embassy there from Tel Aviv in a move which angered Arab nations and was opposed by the broader international community. Mr Trump also won plaudits from Mr Netanyahu by withdrawing the US from the multi-nation nuclear deal with Iran and for aggressively challenging Tehran’s efforts to spread its influence across the region including in war-torn Syria.

The US State Department hinted last week that it was changing its view of the Golan Heights when, in its annual human rights report, it referred to the heights as “Israeli-controlled” rather than “Israeli-occupied.”

“We didn’t make a mistake. It’s there for a reason. It’s not a change in US policy,” said US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who was visiting Jerusalem this week.

“It was our intent, as it is in every element of the Human Rights Report, to be as factually descriptive as we can, and that’s what we did,”

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo with Benjamin Netanyahu, during their visit to Netanyahu's official residence in Jerusalem on Thursday. Picture: AP.

During the visit, Mr Netanyahu lobbied Mr Pompeo over the recognition of the Golan Heights saying: “I think it’s time that the international community recognise Israel’s stay in the Golan, the fact that the Golan will always remain part of the state of Israel.”

Mr Netanyahu told Mr Pompeo that the Iranian-linked terror group Hezbollah had been discovered trying to set up a network in the Syrian-controlled part of the Golan Heights which he said would pose a direct threat to Israel.

“I can say that all of you can imagine what would have happen if Israel were not in the Golan,” Mr Netanyahu said. “We would have Iran on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. I think for this reason and many more, I think it’s time the international community recognises Israel’s stay in the Golan.’

Israel’s Attorney-General last month announced plans to indict Mr Netanyahu on bribery and other corruption charges after a two-year investigation, posing a grave threat to his re-election prospects.

Mr Trump’s adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner is overseeing a US peace plan for the Middle East but the White House has not said when it will be released.

During his visit to the White House, Mr Netanyahu will meet with both Mr Trump and Mr Kushner.

Cameron Stewart is also US Contributor for Sky News Australia