Why does Trump recognize Golan Heights as Israeli territory?

Editor's note:Wang Jin is a research fellow at the Charhar Institute and Northwest University. The article reflects the author's opinion, and not necessarily the view of CGTN.

When U.S. President Donald Trump announced his decision to the Golan Heights as Israeli territory, the whole world was shocked.

On the one hand, Washington becomes the first state that recognizes the legitimacy of Israel's occupation of the Golan Heights, while the rest of the world still maintains that Israel should return the area to Syria. On the other hand, Trump's announcement could be perceived as the other gift to Israel, especially for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after theU.S. recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and moved its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Golan Heights is the legacy of Middle East warfare and conflicts. As a mountainous area with great strategic importance, it was occupied by Israel after its military victory against Syria in 1967 Israel-Arab war.

In 1974 Syria attempted to retake the Golan Heights through a military offensive cooperated with Egypt, but was foiled by Israel. For nearly half acentury, Israel has firmly controlled the region. Given that Syria refused to recognize Israel and no formal peace treaties were signed between the two states, the status of the Golan Heights remains as neither at peace nor war.

Israeli tanks and armored vehicles stand guard near the border with Syria in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, May 9, 2018. /VCG Photo

The local residents could be separated into two groups, Jews and local Arabs. Most of the local Jews were the residents of Jewish settlements established after the1970s, while most the local Arabs were the residents whose family members have been separated by the frontier set up after 1967. During my several visits to the Golan Heights, many local Jewish residents maintain that they would not withdraw from the Golan Heights.

After 1981, Israel declared it would govern the Golan Heights with Israeli laws. Most of the local residents, especially the local Arabs, or Druze, were born in the region after 1981 and have been included in the economic and social circles of Israeli society.

Over the past decades, the landscape of the Golan Heights has changed significantly. Israel has permitted the construction of several major Jewish settlements, the residents of which are not willing to withdraw.

After the Syrian conflict erupted in 2011, the Golan Heights became a sensitive issue. Although the area is far away from the major battlefields in central, northern and southern Syria, both the Syrian government and rebels tried to gain public support through advocating Israel's withdrawal from the Golan Heights. Israel's presence there is described by both government and opposition as an "invasion" and "illegal occupation."

Israel has become very nervous over the Golan Heights issue. On the one hand, Israel worries that the Golan Heights could be targeted by Iran and Tehran-backed military groups, while on the other, Israelis worry that the Golan Heights might be used by the Syrian government or rebels to provoke the anger towards Israel. Therefore, how to handle and deter the threat in Golan Heights becomes an important topic in Israel.

Syrian air defense batteries responding to Israeli missile attacks targeting Damascus, Syria, January 21, 2019. /VCG Photo

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly stressed the importance of the Golan Heights for Israel's security and highlighted that he would never return the Golan Heights to Syria.

Netanyahu has paid several visits to the frontier of Golan Heights to show his determination to safeguard Israel's security and deter any threats from Iran and Hezbollah from the north. The Golan Heights has become an important political asset for Netanyahu.

Israel's general election is just around the corner, and Netanyahu faces dual challenges. On one hand, the fraud and graft charges might decrease his support among right-wing voters, while on the other hand the newly-established right-center wing party, Blue and White Party, led by former Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon and former General of Staff Benny Gantz, surpasses the Likud led by Netanyahu in the survey poll. Netanyahu needs help to save the day.

 Israelis at the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights look into Syria during airstrikes backing a Syrian-government-led offensive in the southwestern province of Daraa. /VCG Photo

It is an open secret that the ties between Netanyahu and Trump are close. They share a similar political philosophy, and Netanyahu enjoys close relations with Jared Kushner's family.

Therefore, it is necessary for Trump to take measures to help Netanyahu before the Israeli election.

However, Trump's annoucement might provoke a new crisis between Israel and Syria and might become a hindrance rather than a help for Netanyahu.

Syria's government needs to do something to show its determination to safeguard the country's claims over Golan Heights territory. Israel, on ther other hand, would need to be more assertive in response. A new round of conflict could emerge, and it might become a challenge rather than an opportunity for Netanyahu.

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