Why is the Golan Heights important to Israel?
The Golan Heights, which separate war-torn Syria from Israel, have formally been declared by US President Trump as belonging to Israel.
President Trump used social media to state, “After 52 years it is time for the United States to fully recognize Israel’s Sovereignty over the Golan Heights, which is of critical strategic and security importance to the State of Israel and Regional Stability!” The message that President Trump has given the world is that America stands by Israel.
The military advantage of controlling the “high ground” has been recognized for over 2,000 years. Controlling the high ground of the Golan Heights is essential for Israel’s national security, who has been repeatedly attacked by its neighbors on all borders since the county’s inception in 1948. In 1967 Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in the Six Day War when Israel fought against the Arab countries of Egypt, Syria, and Jordan.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu led the praise of President Trump, calling his declaration a “new Purim miracle.”
Prime Minister Netanyahu explained, “We’re celebrating Purim, when 2,500 years ago, other Persians, led by Haman, tried to destroy the Jewish people. They failed then; and today, 2,500 years later, again Persians led by Khamenei, are trying to destroy the Jewish people and the Jewish state. They’re going to fail again.”
Most of Israel view President Trump as a champion of their right to exist in peace. So far, President Trump has recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s eternal capital and relocated the US embassy there. President Trump also pulled out of the disastrous Iran nuclear treaty and re-imposed sanctions against the Islamic theocracy. Many wonder what might be next? Allowing Jews to pray on the Temple Mount perhaps?