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Source: https://www.wsj.com/articles/israels-golan-heights-11553210211
Israel's Golan Heights
(Wall Street Journal) Editorial - President Trump made new U.S. policy on Thursday, recognizing Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights on the border with Syria. U.S. negotiators over the decades have seen the Golan as land Israel would return to Syria as part of a broader peace settlement. But that scenario has become even more unlikely amid the chaos of Syria's long civil war. A country controlled by the Assad family has become a fractured cauldron of jihadist militias and Iranian proxies. If Israel didn't control the Golan, the heights might now be dominated by Hizbullah or perhaps Islamic State. Annexation of the Golan isn't controversial in Israel. Arab countries will object, but that will fade as anger did when Mr. Trump moved the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem. Recognizing the Golan also tells the Palestinians that a return to pre-1967 borders is no longer realistic. They will have to allow some Israeli security presence in what they call the "occupied territories" if they want a two-state solution in Palestine. Recognizing the Golan is principled in its support for an ally and realistic in recognizing the Middle East as it is.