In a move that acted as a boost to both Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and conservative Christians among his own base who support Israel’s primacy in the region, Mr Trump signed a resolution that officially altered Washington’s position over the 700 square miles of territory.



It departed with decades of US policy as well as international consensus on the area which was seized from Syria by Israeli forces in 1967: a de facto annexation which has been declared illegal by the United Nations.

“This was a long time in the making… [it] should have taken place many decades ago,” said Mr Trump, as Mr Netanyahu looked over his shoulder. Handing to the prime minister the pen he used to sign the declaration, Mr Trump added: “Give this to the people of Israel.”

In the Oval Office, Mr Netanyahu heaped praise on Mr Trump. “Israel has never had a better friend than the US president,” he said.

Trump backs Israel’s annexation of Golan Heights Show all 7 1 /7 Trump backs Israel’s annexation of Golan Heights Trump backs Israel’s annexation of Golan Heights An Israeli soldier stands next to signs pointing out distances to different cities on Mount Bental, an observation post in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights Reuters Trump backs Israel’s annexation of Golan Heights Druze people take part in a rally in Majdal Shams near the ceasefire line between Israel and Syria Reuters Trump backs Israel’s annexation of Golan Heights Israeli Druzes sit together watching the Syrian side of the Israel-Syria border on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights Reuters Trump backs Israel’s annexation of Golan Heights A European member of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) using binoculars to look towards the Syrian side of the Golan Heights AFP/Getty Trump backs Israel’s annexation of Golan Heights A file photo taken on October 19, 1973 shows Israeli Defence Minister General Moshe Dayan (R) looking towards the Syrian side of the Golan Heights, four days after the beginning of the Yom Kippur War AFP/Getty Trump backs Israel’s annexation of Golan Heights A file photo taken on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights on September 5, 2014 shows members of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force Zone (UNDOF) using binoculars to look towards the Syrian side of the Golan Heights AFP/Getty Trump backs Israel’s annexation of Golan Heights Members of the United Nations peacekeepers standing on a watch tower during a visit by the Israeli Defence Minister in 2018 AFP/Getty

On a day Israel began responding militarily to a rocket attack from Hamas militants in Gaza that wounded seven people, he added that Israel had no intention of giving up the Golan Heights.

“Just as Israel stood tall in 1967, just as it stood tall in 1973, Israel stands tall today. We hold the high ground and we should never give it up,” he said.

In Israel, the proclamation was met with widespread, albeit muted praise.



Israeli president Reuven Rivlin thanked the US and called Mr Trump “a true friend of the State of Israel”.

Benny Gantz, the country’s former army chief and Mr Netanyahu’s main election rival, said he hoped it would be part of a true bipartisan relationship in the future.

Opposition head Shelly Yachimovich, as well as Labour Party leader Avi Gabbay, also commended the move.

The news, however, was met with widespread condemnation across the rest of the Middle East.

Syria called the US action a “blatant attack” on its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Skiier's helmet camera captures moment Israel intercepts Iranian missile aimed at Golan Heights

“The liberation of the Golan by all available means and its return to the Syrian motherland is an inalienable right,” Syria’s foreign ministry said in a statement carried by the Syrian Arab News Agency. “The decision ... makes the United States the main enemy of the Arabs.”

Arab League secretary-general Ahmed Aboul Gheit, also condemned the move, saying Washington’s action did not change the area’s status.

The status of the Golan had not altered in the eyes of UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres, his spokesperson said.

“The UN’s policy on Golan is reflected in the relevant resolutions of the security council and that policy has not changed,” he added.

A UN security council resolution adopted unanimously by the 15-member body in 1981 declared Israel’s “decision to impose its laws, jurisdiction and administration in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights is null and void and without international legal effect”.

The visit by Mr Netanyahu, who has been pressing Mr Trump to make the announcement, comes as he faces an election on 9 April that is expected to be close.