Trump loses the plot over the Occupied Golan Heights

Trump's shock announcement

Spring smiled on the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, yesterday as Trump gave his friend an election boost. Unsurprisingly, it came in the form of a Tweet:

After 52 years it is time for the United States to fully recognize Israel's Sovereignty over the Golan Heights, which is of critical Strategic and secutity importance to the State of Israel and Regional Stability! 

Earlier, US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, had pointed out that the Word "occupied" had deliberately been left out of a report referring to the Occupied Golan Heights. 

Reactions

Netanyahu's reaction was to praise Trump and to claim that he had made history. Indeed he had: as the most ignorant, self-serving and callous president in US history. Putin was one of the first to react, condemning the illegality of the move. A fine one to talk! In fact, by legitimising invasion and annexation, Trump actually did Putin a favour. However, condemnation was widespread and include the European Union. Syria, to whom the Heights lawfully belong, is furious and vowed to regain its territory. Damascus has at least two UN resolutions on its side: 242 and 497. The latter states that:

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.

Likely consequences

By promoting Israeli sovereignty over the Occupied Golan Heights, Trump is condoning the acquisition of territory by war. This is clearly against international law and is an extremely dangerous position. Putin already indicated a free for all and "might is right" attitude with his annexation of Crimea. Now, the other superpower, and Security Council permanent member, is following suit with its green light to these belligerent and unlawful acts. Either Trump is too stupid to realise the danger of his stance, or he simply does not care.

The western two-thirds of the Golan Heights were occupied by Israel in the 1967 Six-day War. Israeli forces occupied the West Bank at the same time. So, is Trump waiting for another opportune moment to recognise Israel's sovereignty over that? He has already jeopardised the peace process between the Palestinian State and Israel by moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem. He seems bent of wrecking it completely. The problem with the "might is right" doctrine is that eventually a stronger force will emerge. And as they say: Karma is a bitch.