Turkey slams Trump's Golan move as 'election gift' to Israeli-PM
Turkey yesterday denounced US President Donald Trump's recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the disputed Golan Heights as an "election gift" to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Golan Heights is a region located in the Eastern Mediterranean. It was captured from Syria and occupied by Israel during the Six-Day War of 1967. Till now, only US has recognized Israeli sovereignty over the region. Here's more.
Trump's decision hands significant diplomatic victory to Netanyahu before elections
Trump's decision to proclaim that Golan Heights belongs to Israel hands a significant diplomatic victory to Netanyahu before April 9 elections. Netanyahu is facing an unexpectedly tough challenge from centrist Benny Gantz. "Trump's signing is virtually an election gift to Netanyahu who is in difficulty ahead of elections," Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said during a speech in the southern province of Antalya.
America's efforts are in vain, says Turkish Foreign Minister
"Whatever you do for (Netanyahu), who even divides his own people, who bombs in Gaza today as you can see, for this tyrant, there will be no advantages. America's efforts are in vain," Cavusoglu said in televised remarks. Israel launched strikes on Hamas targets in Gaza yesterday, hours after a rocket from the Palestinian enclave hit a house near Tel Aviv and wounded seven.
About 20,000 Israeli settlers live in the Golan Heights
It is not the first time that Turkey has lambasted Trump over his policy towards Israel. In 2017 also, Ankara (capital of Turkey) repeatedly criticized the US president over his recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. About 20,000 Israeli settlers live in the Golan, which overlooks Syrian territory. The annexing of the area has never been recognized by the international community.
Turkey would 'do whatever is necessary until the end': Cavusoglu
Cavusoglu said Turkey would "do whatever is necessary until the end" and work with the global-community against "one-sided decisions" which disregard international law. "The decision particularly violates the UN Security Council Resolution 497 (1981)," he said. Turkey-Israel relations are strained, especially after a recent war of words between President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who regards himself as a champion of the Palestinian cause, and Netanyahu.
