For the EU, the Golan is not Israel | Despite the change …

From Brussels

The 28 member countries of the European Union unanimously declared that they did not recognize the sovereignty of Israel over the Golan Heights, despite a change of policy on the part of the United States. This week, Donald Trump signed a presidential proclamation that officially recognizes Israel's control over the region it has occupied since 1967, the year Syria captured the Golan Heights during the Six Day War. Federica Mogherini, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, said in a statement endorsed by the 28 members of the European Council: "The position of the European Union on the state of the Golan Heights has not changed.

"In accordance with international law and United Nations Security Council Resolutions 242 and 497, the European Union does not recognize Israel's sovereignty over the occupied Golan Heights".

The stroke of trump

The occupied territory is widely recognized internationally as in conflict with Israel's Arab neighbor. Trump said: "After 52 years, it is time for the United States to fully recognize Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights, which is of strategic importance and a crucial security for the state of Israel. Israel and regional stability. "

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Trump's recognition was "historic," while Syria called a "blatant attack" against its sovereignty and pledged to reclaim the territory by "all means available. " Turkey and Russia also expressed opposition to the measure.

The change in US policy is expected to provide domestic political support for Netanyahu, which faces the April 9 elections. This recognition is Trump 's latest gesture to break with the long – standing policy towards Israel. Last year, the president announced that he was transferring the US Embbady from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Israel says Jerusalem is its capital, but most foreign embbadies are based in Tel Aviv because of the disputed political status of the holy city.

This decision forced Brazil, El Salvador, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Romania to follow the example of the United States and to announce varying degrees of recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. This week, Israel launched new air strikes in the Gaza Strip, another area under its military occupation, after Palestinian militants launched rockets into Israeli territory. Local authorities said the attacks injured at least 15 Palestinians, including two women and one child.

* Of the independent of Great Britain. Special for Page12

Translation: Celita Doyhambéhère.