Recognition of Israeli annexation by US untenable

The recent decision of Donald Trump government to to recognise the annexation of Golan Heights by the Israel is right and a valid one led to widespread debate in the international arena. The Golan Heights is an area spanned over 1800 sq. kms. It is comprises geological and biological region.

The Golan Heights is a basaltic plateau bordered by the Yarmouk river in the south, the and Hula Valley in the west, the Anti-Lebanon with Mount Hermon in the north and Wadi Raqqad region in the east; and as a geopolitical region, The Golan Heights is an area which was captured by the Israel during six day of war in 1967 with Syria and later it successfully annexed by Israel in 1981. The move of occupation of Golan Heights by Israel since 1981 is not recognised by world countries.

The government headed by Benjamin Netanyahu taking undue advantage of civil war in Syria lobbied with the United States government to change its stand in Golan Heights. The sudden and surprising decision of the United States to recognise illegal occupation of Golan Heights by Israel is not at all tenable under the principles of international law.

The Syrian government quickly remarked that the Golan was an "indivisible" part of Syrian territory and recovering it "via all means guaranteed by international law is still a priority" .It said United States with its "stupidity and arrogance" had no right to decide the fate of the area and any move to recognise Israeli sovereignty over it was "an illegal action with no impact".

The world countries, particularly Russian strongly condemned the United States decision saying that it would lead to escalation of tension in already turmoil region. The close allies of the United States like European Union also termed the recognition of United States it is premature and it does not recognise the sovereignty of Israel over it.

The other close allies of the United States like Germany said any change in borders should be "done through peaceful means between all those involved", while France said it did not recognise the Israeli annexation of the Golan Heights and any recognition was contrary to international law. The Arab League, which suspended Syria in 2011 after the start of its civil war, said Trump had paved "the way for official American recognition" of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan and called this "completely beyond international law".

Egypt, which made peace with Israel in 1979, said it still considers the Golan as occupied Syrian territory.If we observe the Israel picture Netanyahu is shortly facing elections in his country and reap in the election scenario he has mesmerised Trump for the United States taking drastic decision, The Arab League, which suspended Syria in 2011 after the start of its civil war, said Trump had paved "the way for official American recognition" of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan and called this "completely beyond international law".

The Syrian government on its turn called upon urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council meeting to discuss the United States action violation of as the article 2(4) of the United Charter which stipulates that even a state annex a part of the territory in a war but if the state is member of the United Nations it should not occupy and annex a other state territory under any circumstances and if it occupies or annex such occupation or annexation as to be treated as null and void and inconsistence with the United Nations charter.

The United States being a permanent member of the Security Council has far greater burden to protect the United Charter and its spirit, it own action of recognising sovereignty of Israel is untenable under all respects including international law.

(The author is Associate Professor of Law, Telangana University, Nizamabad)