UNITED NATIONS – The United States faced severe criticism on Wednesday at the United Nations Security Council regarding its decision to recognise the Golan Heights as Israeli territory.
Global powers denounced the US move as a violation of UN resolutions with the UK saying the decision was in violation of Resolution 497 that declared Israel’s annexation of the Golan as “null and void”.
Moreover, France warned that any attempt to deviate from international law was doomed to fail as the United States prepares to uncover its Middle East peace proposals.
US’ arch-foe, Russia appealed to governments to reject the US decision and to continue to accept the Golan as Israeli-occupied territory.
“If anybody feels any temptation to follow this poor example, we would urge them to refrain from this aggressive revision of international law,” said Russian Deputy Ambassador Vladimir Safronkov.
The council met at the request of Syria which had branded the decision of Trump administration as a “flagrant violation” of UN resolutions, in a letter forwarded in this regard.
As many as three Security Council resolutions call on Israel to pull back from the Golan – area it seized from Syria in the 1967 Six-Day War and annexed later.
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Though the annexation has not been recognised internationally, US President Donald Trump signed a proclamation on Monday recognising Israel’s annexation of the area.
The United States defends its decision, saying it bolstered Israel’s security and could contribute to the stability of the entire Middle East by keeping Syria and its Iranian aide in check.
To allow the Golan to be controlled by Syria “would turn a blind eye to the threats emanating” from Damascus and from Iran and its Hezbollah allies that want to use the Golan to attack Israel, said US diplomat Rodney Hunter.
Despite Trump’s recognition of the land, the United States called for a UN peacekeeping mission deployed in a buffer zone there to remain in place.
The 1,000-member UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) was dispatched to a buffer zone between Israel and Syria in the Golan in 1974; it was tasked with monitoring a ceasefire.
Israel had annexed the Golan Heights in 1981, however, the successive decisions by 45th US President, first the relocation of the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and the fresh move on Golan confirms strengthening of ties between the US and Israel, especially in the perspective of Middle Ease, though the Muslim, as well as the Arab world, is not pleased with the decisions of the White House.
Pakistan has also strongly opposed and condemned the decision of United States’ administration to recognise Israel’s sovereignty over Syrian Golan Heights.
In a statement issued Wednesday, Foreign Office spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal said the US decision represents a serious violation of UN Charter, international law and applicable UN Security Council Resolutions.
He said it also constitutes a serious blow to the rule of law and international norms.
