In the wake of criticism from Israeli officials and American Republican lawmakers, the U.S. Special Envoy to Syria and Ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrack, has retracted his recent statements concerning the occupied Syrian Golan Heights.
Barrack affirmed that President Donald Trump’s policy regarding the Golan Heights and the recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the area remains unchanged.
“Not an Endorsement of UN’s Stance”
He clarified that his previous remarks on the Golan were a description of the historical context of the region, “not an endorsement of the United Nations' position” concerning the Golan Heights. In a statement, Barrack noted that “the United States' policy on the Golan was established by Trump in 2019 and remains unchanged,” according to the Associated Press.
This development followed the U.S. envoy’s comments that Israel “continues to occupy the Golan Heights in violation of the United Nations' resolutions,” a stance conflicting with previous Trump administration positions.
Israel seized the Golan Heights from Syria during the 1967 War, and unilaterally annexed it in 1981.
The United Nations and most of the international community consider the region occupied Syrian territory and have not recognized its annexation by Israel.