Trump signs decree recognizing Israeli sovereignty over Golan Heights

President Donald Trump signed a decree on Monday at the start of a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying the United States recognizes Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, territory that Israel seized from Syria in the 1967 Middle East war.

The decree formalized Trump's statement on March 21 saying it was time for the United States “to fully recognize” Israeli sovereignty over the Golan. The move appeared to give Netanyahu a boost ahead of the closely contested April 9 Israeli elections.

The Golan Heights is located on the border between Israel and Syria. Israel captured the region from Syria in 1967 during the Six Day War.

Syria tried to retake the region in 1973, but failed. An armistice was signed and a UN observer force was put in to monitor the ceasefire.

Currently, the U.S. designation of the Golan Heights is that of disputed territory