Vakkas Dogantekin
25 March 2019•Update: 26 March 2019
ANKARA
The international community has condemned the unilateral and illegal action by the U.S. administration on Monday to formally recognize Israel’s sovereignty over occupied Golan Heights.
The UN said: ''The status of Golan has not changed. The UN’s policy on Golan is reflected in the relevant resolutions of the Security Council."
EU reiterated its stance against recognizing Israeli sovereignty over territories including Golan Heights, occupied since 1967.
Earlier on Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump signed a presidential proclamation officially recognizing the highlands on the border with Syria as Israel's territory, during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House.
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Turkey said the U.S. is ignoring international laws with its latest move favoring Israel.
"The U.S. once again ignored international laws, however, this decision will never legitimize Israel's annexation," Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said in a tweet.
Russia said its stance on Golan Heights remains unchanged.
"Nothing has changed, either before or after," said Mikhail Bogdanov, presidential envoy for the Middle East and Africa.
The Foreign Ministry said on its website the move will "further deteriorate the situation" in the region.
"Nothing has changed, either before or after," said Mikhail Bogdanov, presidential envoy for the Middle East and Africa.
The Foreign Ministry said on its website the move will "further deteriorate the situation" in the region.
The U.K. reiterated its recognition of Golan Heights as "territory occupied by Israel".
"We did not recognize Israel’s annexation in 1981 and have no plans to change our position,” the Foreign Office said.
Spain said it does not recognize the legitimacy of the move in line with international law and the UN Security Council resolutions.
'US, Israel lobby against Arabs'
Arab League described Trump's move as ''illegitimate''.
Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas in Gaza, said the Golan Heights would “forever remain an integral part of Syria”.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said that decisions affecting Palestinian sovereignty over Jerusalem or any Arab territory lack legitimacy.
The Syrian regime said the move "confirms an alliance between U.S. and Israel against Arab nation", according to a Syrian Foreign Ministry source, who spoke to Anadolu Agency on condition of anonymity.
Israel has long lobbied the U.S. to recognize its claim over the Golan Heights, but all past administration refused to heed the calls.
Israel seized the Golan Heights from Syria during the 1967 Six-Day War.
Israel occupies roughly two-thirds of the wider Golan Heights as a de facto result of the conflict. It moved to formally annex the territory in 1981 -- an action unanimously rejected at the time by the UN Security Council.
