Saudi Arabia ‘rejects and condemns’ US recognition of Israeli Golan Heights

– Golan Heights’ status remains unchanged, says UN spokesman

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Riyadh expresses ‘firm’ objection to Trump proclamation on territory captured from Syria, says it will have ‘negative effect’ on regional stability.

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Saudi Arabia on Tuesday rejected US President Donald Trump’s recognition of the Golan Heights as Israeli territory, condemning it as a violation of international law.

Trump, a key Saudi ally, broke with decades of US policy on Monday, signing a proclamation recognising Israeli sovereignty over the strategic territory it seized from Syria in the Six Day War of 1967.

Saudi Arabia expressed its firm rejection and condemnation of the US administration’s declaration that it recognises Israel’s sovereignty over the occupied Syrian Golan Heights,” said a statement carried by the official SPA news agency.

The Golan remains “occupied Syrian Arab land” and its recognition as Israeli is a “violation of the UN Charter and international resolutions. This will have negative effects on the Middle East peace process and security and stability in the region,” statement said.

Golan Heights’ status remains unchanged, says UN spokesman

The Golan Heights, which had belonged to Syria since 1944, were seized by Israel during the 1967 Six-Day War. In 1981, the Israeli parliament passed a law unilaterally declaring sovereignty over the Golan Heights. The UN Security Council declared the annexation null and void in its Resolution 497 on December 17, 1981.

The status of the Golan Heights has remained unchanged, the United Nations’ stance on the issue is reflected in the relevant Security Council resolutions, the UN Secretary General’s Spokesman Stephane Dujarric said at a briefing at the UN headquarters when asked to comment on Trump’s signing the proclamation recognising Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights.

“It is clear that the status of the Golan has not changed. The UN’s policy on the Golan is reflected in the relevant resolutions of the Security Council, and that policy has not changed,” he said.

– Times of Israel with additional information from TASS News Agency