Golan Heights: 14 Security Council Nations criticized United States

Golan Heights 14 Security Council Nations criticized United States

Question: Golan Heights Issue is related to-
(a) Recognition of Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan heights
(b) Recognition of Australia’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights
(c) Recognition of Pakistan’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights
(d) None of the above
Answer :(a)
Related facts:

  • On 27 March 2019, United States came under sharp criticism from the 14 other Security Council nations for its decision to recognize Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights.
  • Speakers at the open meeting supported Syria’s sovereignty over the Strategic plateau and opposed Israel’s annexation of the Golan Heights.
  • They also opposed US President Donald Trump’s proclamation.

Trump’s Proclamation

  • President Donald Trump informed that the United States should back Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, Seized from Syria in 1967.

Golan Heights

  • The Golan Heights were part of Syria until 1967, when Israel captured most of the area in the Six day War, occupying it and annexing it in 1981.
  • That unilateral annexation was not recognised internationally. And Syria demands the return of territory.
  • Syria tried to regain the Heights in the 1973 Middle East war, but was thwarted.
  • Israel and Syria signed and armistice in 1974 and the Golan had been relatively quiet since.
  • In 2000, Israel and Syria held their highest level talks over a possible agreement. But the negotiations collapsed and subsequent talks also failed.

Significance

  • Security. Israel informs that the civil war in Syria demonstrates the need to keep the plateau as a buffer zone between Israeli towns and the instability of its neighbour.

Links:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-03-22/donald-trump-tweet-changes-decades-of-middle-east-policy/10928156
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/us-criticized-for-recognizing-israeli-sovereignty-over-golan/2019/03/27/f0837cc4-50f0-11e9-bdb7-44f948cc0605_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.a00f40148142
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/21/trump-says-us-should-recognize-israeli-sovereignty-over-disputed-golan-heights-in-a-boost-to-netanyahu.html