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Reservations in US over recognition of Israel’s sovereignty over Syria’s Golan Heights

February 10, 2021 at 10:30 am

Antony Blinken, US secretary of state in Washington, DC, on 4 February 2021 [Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA/Bloomberg/Getty Images]

The United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, has refused to openly endorse the Trump administration’s recognition of Israel’s sovereignty over the occupied Syrian Golan Heights, Reuters reported.

“As a practical matter, the control of the Golan in that situation I think remains of real importance to Israel’s security,” Blinken told CNN.

“Legal questions are something else and overtime if the situation were to change in Syria, that’s something we look at, but we are nowhere near that,” he added.

Blinken explained that Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad’s regime and the presence of Iranian militias in Syria, constitute a “significant security threat” to Israel.

OPINION: Netanyahu must be anxious over no call from Biden

The administration of US President Joe Biden has previously said that he would not withdraw the US’ recognition of Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights.

When asked why Biden has not spoken with Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, until now, Blinken said: “I’m sure that they’ll have occasion to speak in the near future.”

Deal of the century, embassy relocation, and the Golan Heights - Israel surely can't believe their luck? - Cartoon [Sabaaneh/MiddleEastMonitor]

Deal of the century, embassy relocation, and the Golan Heights – Israel surely can’t believe their luck? – Cartoon [Sabaaneh/MiddleEastMonitor]