Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed U.S. President Donald Trump as a “great friend” of the State of Israel, in response to recognition by the American leader of Jerusalem’s sovereignty over the strategic plateau it seized from Syria in the 1967 Middle East War.
A festive cabinet meeting was held on the Golan Heights as part of Jerusalem’s display of appreciation, during which the government approved the establishment of a new Israeli community named “Trump Heights” in honor of the U.S. President. U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman attended the event, and welcomed the Israeli gesture as “a wonderful first step.”
Prime Minister Netanyahu also took the opportunity to discuss aggressive behavior projected by the Islamic Republic of Iran just across the Golan frontier in Syria, and reiterated Jerusalem’s resolve to thwart Tehran’s aspirations. In addition to Israel’s efforts to confront Iran’s regional ambitions, Netanyahu called upon the international community to support Washington own campaign against the Ayatollah regime, including protection of the freedom of maritime navigation.