Rabat – The United Nations has commented on US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Israel’s authority over Golan Heights.
In a press conference, the UN Secretary-General’s spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, said on Monday that the UN’s position “has remained unchanged from last week to today.”
Dujarric added that it is “clear that the status of Golan has not changed. The UN’s policy on the Golan is reflected in the relevant resolutions of the Security Council, and that policy, again, has not changed.”
On Monday, Trump signed a proclamation officially recognizing Israeli authority over Golan Heights, a territory on the Israeli-Syrian border.
Trump said, “Today I am taking historic action to promote Israel’s ability to defend itself.”
In a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump remarked, “This was a long time in the making.”
He added that the decision should have been made “many decades ago.” Israel took control of the Golan Heights from Syria in 1967 and annexed it in 1981, a move the UN did not recognize as legal.
In reference to a missile attack from Gaza into Israel that injured seven on Monday, Trump said: “We do not want to see another attack like the one suffered this morning north of Tel Aviv.”
Netanyahu described Trump’s decision as “historic justice” and a “diplomatic victory.”
“Israel won the Golan Heights in a just war of defense,” he added.
Prior to Trump’s proclamation, several countries condemned Trump’s decision to recognize Israel’s authority over the region.
“The recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan, occupied territory, would be contrary to international law, in particular the obligation for states not to recognise an illegal situation,” the French foreign ministry said last week.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan promised to take the issue of Golan to the UN.
In December 2017, President Trump announced a controversial decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. The president also moved the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
The decision received international backlash. King Mohammed VI was among the world leaders who condemned the action.
