Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made his first public appeal Sunday alongside a senior US official for recognition of ‘Israeli sovereignty’ over the Golan Heights.

“The Golan Heights is tremendously important for our security,” Netanyahu said Sunday evening alongside US National Security Adviser John Bolton following a meeting between them in his residence.

The Israeli premier said that, weather permitting, he hoped to helicopter to the strategic plateau on Monday with Bolton so that “you will be able to understand perfectly why we will never leave the Golan Heights, and why it is important that all countries recognize Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights.”

Netanyahu said he has discussed the matter with US President Donald Trump.

Bolton, who arrived Saturday for talks aimed at reassuring Tel Aviv following Trump’s decision last month to withdraw 2,000 American soldiers from northeast Syria, said that the withdrawal will be done in a way to ensure that ISIL is defeated and unable to “revive itself;” that “IsraelI defense and that of our other friends in the region is absolutely assured;” and that those who fought with the US against ISIL are “taken care of.”

Bolton said that for the US, the “ultimate mark of sovereignty” is a country’s ability to defend itself.

“President Trump has said repeatedly that he backs Israel’s right to self-defense. He says it proudly and unequivocally,” Bolton said.

“And I would just say to any nation in this region – or not in this region – that has any doubt about America’s support for Israel’s self-defense – it better think about it again.”

Bolton added meanwhile that under Netanyahu and Trump, “We have the best Israel-US relationship in our history, and on our side we are certainly determined to continue that.”

Netanyahu for his part, expressed Israeli appreciation to Trump for walking away “from the dangerous Iran deal and imposing sanctions,” as well as moving the capital to Jerusalem, and “unequivocally backing Israel at the United Nations.”

Source: Jerusalem Post