US President Donald Trump has argued for recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights by his country. "After 52 years, it's time for the US to fully recognize Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights," Trump wrote on Twitter.

Israel's Sovereignty over the Golan Heights, which is the State of Israel and Regional Stability!

- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 21, 2019

Since the Six-Day War of 1967, Israel has occupied much of the Golan Heights between Israel and Syria, followed by the annexation of the area in 1981. However, this is not recognized internationally. According to international law, the territories are considered Israeli-occupied territory of Syria.

"Thank you, President Trump!"

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has welcomed the US President's statements on the status of the Golan Heights. "At a time when Iran wants to use Syria as a platform to destroy Israel, President Trump boldly recognizes Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights," Netanyahu wrote on Twitter. "Thank you, President Trump!"

The head of the Israeli government has long been concerned about the recognition of the area as Israeli. In Israel, a new parliament will be elected on 9 April. Despite corruption investigations against him Netanyahu hopes for another mandate. Next week, he will travel to Washington to meet with Trump.

The Golan Heights are a strategically important rocky plateau above the Sea of ​​Galilee with the city of Tiberias and densely populated areas in northern Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to seek international recognition of the Golan Heights as Israeli. "The Golan is part of Israel, the Golan must remain part of Israel forever," Trump said recently.

Recently, the US State Department changed its wording on the status of the Golan Heights. In a report on the human rights situation in Israel, the ministry described the areas as "controlled by Israel." Last year, both the Golan Heights and the 1967 conquered West Bank and Gaza Strip areas were still considered occupied by Israel.

Applause for Trump in Israel

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on a visit to Jerusalem that the new wording in the report was not a mistake. She was chosen very consciously. Trump's Middle East policy receives much applause from the right-wing conservative government in Israel. Netanyahu praises the decision to relocate the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and the US withdrawal from the nuclear deal with Iran.

Netanyahu is in Washington for the annual meeting of the American-Israeli lobby organization Aipac, where he will give a speech. In the White House, the two statesmen want to discuss "the common interests and actions of both countries in the Middle East". In Israel, a new parliament will be elected on 9 April.