Jeremy Hunt condemns Trump’s recognition of Golan Heights as Israeli
Foreign Secretary criticises the move in the House of Commons, saying the UK 'should never recognise the annexation of territory by force'
Britain’s Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt has condemned Donald Trump’s recognition of the Golan Heights as sovereign Israeli territory.
Answering questions in the House of Commons on Tuesday morning, Hunt did not shy in criticising the Trump White House for breaking the post-war international consensus for not recognising sovereignty over land seized during war.
Hunt made British policy clear in response to a question from Conservative grandee Sir Nicholas Soames, who said it was “a matter of the greatest regret that our allies, the United States, are in clear contravention of UN Resolution 497”.
Soames said Trump’s recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan was illegal because “annexation of territory is prohibited under international law” and asked Hunt to “condemn unreservedly this breach of the rules-based order”.
Hunt said he was “absolutely happy to do that,” adding: “We should never recognise the annexation of territory by force… that has been one of the great achievements since the founding of the United Nations.”
The foreign secretary said he condemned Trump’s actions “with a heavy heart” because Israel was also “an ally and a shining example of democracy in a part of the world where that is not common… We want Israel is to a success and we consider them to be a great friend but on this we do not agree.”
Israel seized control of the strategic plateau in the Six Day War of 1967. Ever since, the majority of Israelis have opposed its return to Syria in polls and surveys, even if it came with a full peace treaty including diplomatic relations, demilitarisation and international security guarantees.
Analysts said Trump’s announcement on Monday last week was timed to support his friend Benjamin Netanyahu in next week’s Israeli election, and to reassure Israel supporters in the US at the start of the annual AIPAC conference.
In 1981 Israel tried to annex the territory but the move was not recognised internationally. This led to UN Security Council Resolution 497, which said “the Israeli decision to impose its laws, jurisdiction and administration in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights is null and void and without international legal effect”.
However in 2016 Netanyahu said Israel would “never” give up the Golan Heights, and has since made great play of the Iranian threat on Israel’s northern border.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
