World Jewish News

Russia, Turkey, Iran Call for Syrian Territorial Integrity After Golan Recognition

Lawmakers from Russia, Iran and Turkey are calling for Syria's territorial integrity to be preserved as remarks from Israel and the United States have renewed long-standing land disputes and after U.S. President Donald Trump had recognized Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights.

The legislators from parliament foreign affairs committees met Wednesday in Moscow for a special session on Syria.

Russian state news agency RIA-Novosti quoted Iranian parliament member Heshmatollah Falahatpishe as saying the discussion "was a good beginning."

Falahatpishe continued: "We confirmed the necessity of preserving the territorial integrity of Syria, especially as far as Golan is concerned."

Trump met in March with Prime Minister Benjamin to sign a presidential proclamation officially recognizing the Golan Heights as Israeli territory, thus formalizing a move announced with a tweet earlier that month.

The two leaders also discussed Iran and Syria after the press conference.

Netanyahu called Trump's decision to recognize Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights "historic justice" and a "diplomatic victory," saying that "Israel won the Golan Heights in a just war of defense."

The move by Trump caused an instant international uproar of protests: under international law, the Golan Heights are considered to be Syrian territory occupied by Israel, like East Jerusalem and the West Bank.

Syria's foreign ministry called the decision a "blatant attack on the sovereignty and territorial integrity" of Syria, in a statement carried by state news agency SANA.

Haaretz