Jerusalem, : Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu unveiled a new settlement in the disputed Golan Height, named after the country’s ‘great friend’ US President Donald Trump.
During the naming ceremony on Sunday, Mr Netanyahu said ‘Trump Heights’ honoured Mr Trump for his decision to recognise Israeli sovereignty over the territory.
‘This is a historic day,” said Netanyahu and also hailed President Trump as ‘a friend of Israel’ , reported BBC.
US Ambassador David Friedman, who attended the ceremony, called the settlement well deserved, but much appreciated.
The Building work hasn’t started yet but a sign bearing Mr Trump’s name and US and Israeli flags was unveiled to mark the site of the new settlement.
Israel seized the Golan from Syria in the 1967 Middle East war.
Earlier in March, the US became the first country to recognise Israeli sovereignty over the area since Israel effectively annexed it in 1981.
In April, Israel’s pledged to name a new settlement after Mr Trump, soon after the president overturned decades of US policy by recognising Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan.
The region is located about 60km (40 miles) south-west of the Syrian capital, Damascus, and covers about 1,000 sq km (400 sq miles).
Israel’s cabinet on Sunday approved Mr Netanyahu’s resolution for an “initiative to establish” a new Golan Heights community.
However, the resolution fell short of declaring the establishment of a settlement and no money was earmarked for construction.
According to the political opponents, the scheme had no legal authority as no new localities can be established before Israel’s elections in September.
UNI.
