In an interview on Monday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed President Biden’s Israel policy. When asked if the new administration will continue recognizing the Golan Heights as Israeli territory Blinken questioned the legality of the recognition, but still made it clear that he favored Israeli control of the territory.
“Look, leaving aside the legalities of that question, as a practical matter, the Golan is very important to Israel’s security,” Blinken said. He said as long as Syrian President Bashar al-Assad “in power” in Syria “as a practical matter, the control of the Golan in that situation I think remains of real importance to Israel’s security.”
Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in 1967 and annexed the territory in 1981, a move that was not internationally recognized. In 2019, the Trump administration formally recognized the Golan Heights as Israeli territory.
Blinken’s comments suggest that the new administration might not agree with Trump’s move, but they will probably not reverse it. Before the November presidential election, a Biden campaign official said the Biden administration would not change the Golan Heights recognition.
One Trump policy the Biden administration has made clear it will not change is the move of the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Israel. When asked on Monday if he regards Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, Blinken answered, “I do, yes. And, more importantly, we do.”
The US wants all of Syria to be controlled by a puppet obedient to Israel.
That would make the Golan less dangerous, but of course it would also make it impossible to ask for it back.
Bottom line: More for Israel, and that will never be enough.
“Look, leaving aside the legalities of that question”
Imagine one of our perceived enemies blurting that out. No problem, right Tony?
But the Crimea is not OK?
Get with the program: Our side can do things, but yours can’t.
Please explain to me how Blinken is more of a diplomat than Pompass, besides his more polite manner!!!
Israel wouldn’t have security issues if they would adhere to international law and UN Resolutions.
Blinken is proving himself to be just another AIPAC lackey.
Before Assad came why didn’t Israel return the Golan? What kind of threat Israel faces that makes Israel starts war continues war and maintains oppressive measures against Syrian civilians ? Wont you look for peace and won’t you not try to inflame a complex situation unnecessarily ? Another point is the exploitation disenfranchisement of the native Syrians by Israeli apartheid country . If security were your concern, won’t you try to have the natives living there on your side ?
And the “legality” ? There is an explanation – toss Arab loses, head Israel wins That has always been the end game and on that end game ,Israeli lovers frame there arguments and invert it when it is necessary.