Security Council Rejects Trump's Golan Proclamation

by Stephen Lendman (stephenlendman.org - Home - Stephen Lendman)

Affirmed by Security Council Res. 497, binding international law, Golan is sovereign Syrian territory - illegally seized by Israel in June 1967.

On March 25, Trump defiantly breached international and US constitutional law, under the Supremacy Clause, by signing a proclamation, illegally and brazenly recognizing Golan as Israeli territory.

His action was automatically null and void, changing nothing but further US isolation over this and other issues.

Russia's Foreign Ministry slammed Trump's proclamation, saying he acted "in direct violation of UN decisions," adding:

"Russia…takes a principled position on the issue of the Syrian Arab Republic's ownership of the Golan Heights. This is confirmed by UN Security Council Resolution 497 of 1981. Our assessment of the unlawful nature of Israel's decision to extend its sovereignty to the Golan Heights remains unchanged."

Syria condemned Trump's action, its Foreign Ministry calling it reckless "irresponsible, hegemon(ic) arrogance…confirm(ing) the United States' blind commitment to Israel and support of its aggressive ways," adding:

"The statements did not change the reality that the Golan was and will remain Syrian, Arab."

"The Syrian nation is more determined to liberate this precious piece of Syrian national land through all available means."

During a special Wednesday Security Council session on the issue, Syria's UN envoy Bashar al-Jaafari ripped the Trump regime's action.

Calling it a "slap in the face to the entire world, he declared it illegitimate "unilateral behavior (with) no legal (validity) or political value."

Saying it's a threat to international peace and stability and an attempt to reinvent history, Jaafari added:

"The Syrian people consider the US as an enemy, outlaw state which occupies part of their land after it had caused the killing of thousands of Syrians and destroyed infrastructure and economy."

"Syria reaffirms that the occupied Golan will return…The US and Israel shouldn't think that a Syrian land could be part of a malicious bargain."

"Don't be misguided by thinking that one day this land will be yours due to hypocrisy or due to being a pawn in the electoral game where you bring each other support, so the Israelis can succeed in their elections and the Americans can also get support from Israeli lobbying groups in the US."

"Why not give Israel North and South Carolina? Give them some land from your states if you really want to support Israel."

Trump's action further isolated the US and Israel. In requesting Wednesday's Security Council session, Syria called Trump's action a "flagrant violation" of council resolutions, contemptuous of binding international law.

European SC members Belgium, Britain, France, Germany, and Poland said the move raised concerns about "broader consequences of recognizing illegal annexation and also about the broader regional consequences."

Germany's UN envoy Christoph Heusgen called Trump's move "deeply cynical." The US is isolated over this issue with no support from other SC members or the world community.

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini issued a statement for the bloc, saying its 28 member states do "not recognize Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Golan Heights."

Golan is sovereign Syrian territory. Israel illegally occupies it. The same goes for the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza.

Trump regime actions changed nothing. Security Council resolutions and other international laws are inviolable.

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