In response to a question whether he wants Netanyahu to win April 9 elections, Trump responds: “Yes I do, yes I do,”

A week ago Trump tweeted that It’s time “to fully recognize Israel’s Sovereignty over the Golan Heights”.

Now it is official.

During Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the White House today, Trump signed a Proclamation declaring U.S. recognition of Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights.

The State of Israel took control of the Golan Heights in 1967 to safeguard its security from external threats. Today, aggressive acts by Iran and terrorist groups, including Hizballah, in southern Syria continue to make the Golan Heights a potential launching ground for attacks on Israel. Any possible future peace agreement in the region must account for Israel’s need to protect itself from Syria and other regional threats. Based on these unique circumstances, it is therefore appropriate to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim that, the United States recognizes that the Golan Heights are part of the State of Israel. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fifth day of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand nineteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-third. DONALD J. TRUMP

Against the backdrop for the press statements and signing, Netanyahu is rushing back to Israel after Hamas fired a large rocket into central Israel, hitting a house and injuring several residents including children.

Israel has called up limited reserves and the question is only whether there will be another large-scale round of fighting, like in 2014, or a more limited response.

Trump expressed his support for Israel, and for Netanyahu in his upcoming April 9, 2019, election:

Seconds after he recognized Israeli control over the Golan Heights alongside Netanyahu at the White House, a reporter asks Trump whether he would like Netanyahu to win the elections. “Yes I do, yes I do,” the president answers.



