During the official ceremony on Sunday, June 16, Benjamin Netanyahu announced the decision to name the settlement in the Golan heights in honor of Donald trump. Thus, according to Netanyahu, the country thanked the US President because he recognized its sovereignty over the territory.
«Today is a historic day,» said the President, adding that he considers trump a good «friend of Israel».
Although no construction has begun on the future site of the settlement — which will be located on the North elevation, near Kela had already appeared the flags of the United States and Israel, and a sign that says Trump Heights («the heights of the trump»).
Netanyahu announced his intention to name the settlement in honor of trump back in April, when he went against years of U.S. policy and supported Israel in the territorial conflict, ongoing since 1967. Criticism of the Israeli leader believe the decision is nothing more than a publicity stunt, have no real power. Besides — they say — technically the government has no right to establish new settlements before the September elections.
Establishing a new community in the Golan Heights named after a friend of Israel, US President @realDonaldTrump. A historic day! 🇮🇱🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/lvG8MJxtxq
— Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) June 16, 2019
«Anyone who can read between the lines, understands that this «historical» decision is just not binding the game to the public. — said a former member of the Cabinet Zvi Hauser in an interview with Times of Israel — <…> hopefully, the President trump does not know that his name is used for exercises in public relations».
However, trump has already responded to the news by thanking Netanyahu on his Twitter account and adding that it was «a great honour».
The Golan heights, occupying about 1 thousand square kilometers, located 60 km from Damascus. They belonged to Syria until 1967, when the territory during the six day war, Israeli troops captured.
In 1981, Israel officially annexed the heights, and since then both States claim a right to them. The majority of the members of the international community including the UN security Council — are inclined to believe the Golan is Syrian territory occupied by Israel.
