The Biden Administration is quietly walking back the US recognition of Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights, according to a report by the Washington Free Beacon.

A State Department official refused to tell the Beacon that the administration still recognized the Golan Heights as part of Israel, which the Trump Administration recognized in 2019, calling Israel’s control of the strategic territory a “practical matter.”

“As long as [Bashar al-Assad] is in power in Syria, as long as Iran is present in Syria, militia groups backed by Iran, the Assad regime itself—all of these pose a significant security threat to Israel, and as a practical matter, the control of the Golan remains of real importance to Israel’s security,” the official said.

The Beacon called the policy shift a “significant blow” to Israel.

Former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo slammed the current administration’s policies regarding the Golan Heights, telling the Beacon that “The Golan Heights are not occupied by Israel, they are a part of it. The Israelis have a right to it as sovereign land.”

Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 Six-Day War, when Syrian and Egyptian forces massed on Israel’s borders and threatened to destroy the Jewish State. In 1981, former Prime Minister Menachem Begin formally annexed the strategically-vital territory, which Israel has long maintained is vital as it represents a high ground overlooking much of northern Israel and serves as a buffer against military aggression from Syrian territory.

The Israeli government considered withdrawing from the Golan Heights as part of a potential peace deal with Syria in the 1990s. Following the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011 and the subsequent massacre of over 500,000 Syrians as well as the spread of the ISIS terrorist organization in Syria, a growing consensus has been that Israel must maintain control over the Golan Heights.

Source: Arutz Sheva

Related Articles:

‘Please bring her home’ – Father of 9-year-old, Emily, asks London rally for help to rescue his ‘sweet, innocent’ daughter

Thomas Hand, father of Emily, who turned 9 in Hamas captivity last week, was among family members of hostages that addressed the crowd at the 'Never Again is Now' rally in London on...

Why did Pope Francis promote hateful propaganda against Israel?

This week we saw an example of why those who are in authority need to be particularly careful with their words because they have the power to influence many people. Sadly, the Pope has...

‘Christians must not remain silent at this time’ – Des Starritt addresses pro-Israel rally in London

Des Starritt, Executive Director of Christians United for Israel (CUFI) in the UK, spoke at the Never Again Is Now prayer rally on Sunday 19th November 2023. CUFI was pleased to support...

Thousands rally outside Downing Street for Christian solidarity with the Jewish community

CUFI would like to thank all our supporters who attended the Never Again Is Now prayer rally on Sunday evening in a peaceful stand of solidarity with the Jewish community, and for all...

Comparing Israel to the Nazis is antisemitic

Comparing Israel to the Nazis is antisemitic. It's as simple as that. However, we know the world we live in cannot take a simple truth an all agree to it. In fact, the reason we have to...

Subscribe to start receiving FREE TORCH magazines from CUFI UK

SIGN OUR PETITION

in support of a National Holocaust Memorial next to Parliament