Arab leaders condemn U.S. move on Golan

Arab leaders condemn U.S. move on Golan

1. During the 30th Arab league summit in Tunisia, Arab countries have rejected US President’s decision to recognise Israel’s claim to sovereignty over the Golan Heights. Arab leaders denounced the step and warned it would further inflame tensions in the Middle East region.
2. Recently, US President has signed a proclamation officially recognising Israel’s annexation of the Golan Heights. This move reverses the position U.S. administrations have held for more than 50 years.
3. Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in a 1967 war. Syria tried to regain the Heights in the 1973 Middle East war, but was defeated. In 1981, Israel’s parliament passed a law which effectively annexed the territory.
4. Currently, United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) is stationed in camps and observation posts along the Golan Heights. They are supported by military observers of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO).
5. The Arab League is a regional organization of Arab states in and around North Africa, the Horn of Africa and Saudi Arabia. It was formed in Cairo on 22 March 1945 with six members: Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Syria. Currently, the League has 22 members, but Syria’s  participation has been suspended since November 2011, as a consequence of government repression during the Syrian Civil War.
6. The League’s main goal is to draw closer the relations between member States and coordinate collaboration between them, to safeguard their independence and sovereignty, and to consider in a general way the affairs and interests of the Arab countries.