President Signs Proclamation Recognizing Israel’s Sovereignty Over Golan Heights

By 

Jay Sekulow

|
March 26, 2019

3 min read

Israel

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What a historic day. We recently told you how President Trump stated it was time for the United States to acknowledge the reality that the Golan Heights are in fact Israeli territory. Today, he has made that recognition official.

Today on the show I had the honor to not only discuss, but to hold up a signed copy of the monumental Proclamation, signed and given to me by President Trump, recognizing Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights.  This strategic, elevated area of northeast Israel is critical to Israel’s safety and security.

It was a true privilege to be present with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Vice President Pence at the White House when President Trump signed this extraordinary declaration. I proudly accepted it on behalf of all ACLJ members.

The full text of the President’s Proclamation reads as follows:

RECOGNIZING THE GOLAN HEIGHTS AS PART OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

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 Hezbollah, 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.

This is a tremendous move on behalf of the President, acting in the best interest of America and our great ally Israel, and in defiance of political correctness and anti-Israel forces. This is especially true as tensions continue to boil between Syria – and Iran’s new stronghold in Syria – and Israel.

The Golan is in the northeast corner of Israel, stretching for about 38 miles. It overlooks the richest agricultural portion of Israel as well as the Sea of Galilee. Until the late-60’s, Syria controlled the Golan and used it to launch attacks at Israeli civilians, even causing innocent farmers to armor their tractors.

In 1967, Israel took control of Golan Heights, driving the Syrian aggressors out and officially annexed the region in 1981, despite criticism from the anti-Israel United Nations.

It would have been a day of complete celebration in Israel, if not for Hamas firing rockets into central Israel, injuring several civilians, including young children. And there are even reports that Iran ordered the attack.

This is why it is critical that the United States stand with Israel, defending the rights of the Israeli people to defend themselves and their land.

You can listen to the entire episode here.