Israel has officially named a settlement in the contested Golan Heights territory after President Trump. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gathered with U.S. Ambassador David Friedman on Sunday to inaugurate the name, made in appreciation for Trumpâs recognition of Israelâs claim to sovereignty over the the strategic mountainous plateau. Trump signed an executive order recognizing the area as Israeli territory in March. Israel captured Golan Heights from Syria in 1967 and annexed it in 1981. The international community largely does not recognize Israelâs sovereignty over the region. âIt is simply obvious, it is indisputable and beyond any reasonable debate,â Friedman said at the ceremony.
Israel hopes the now rebranded âRamat Trump,â Hebrew for âTrump Heights,â will encourage new residents to move to the Golan settlement, which currently has a population of 10 people. At the ceremony, Netanyahu called Trump a âgreat friend.â âThe Golan Heights was and will always be an inseparable part of our country and homeland,â the prime minister said. âItâs absolutely beautiful,â said Ambassador Friedman. Noting that Trump celebrated his birthday on Friday, he added: âI canât think of a more appropriate and a more beautiful birthday present.â
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