On March 25, 2019, President Donald Trump formally acknowledged Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights, marking the United States as the initial country to officially recognize the area under Israeli control.
Since seizing it from Syria in the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, Israel has maintained control over the Golan Heights, asserting the necessity of the territory for defense against external threats, including Hezbollah.
The president's declaration shifted U.S. policy in the Middle East of over fifty years, granting Israel enhanced capabilities to protect against regional dangers.
With Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Trump argued that without Israeli control, the Golan Heights, situated between Israel and Syria to the east, could serve as a strategic point for enemies to initiate attacks on Israel.
At the signing of the agreement, Netanyahu praised President Trump as Israel's greatest ally, highlighting Trump's exit from Obama's 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal, the acknowledgment of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, and the relocation of the U.S. Embassy there.
Netanyahu, in June, revealed plans to name a new settlement in the Golan Heights "Trump Heights" in honor of the president's peace efforts and recognition of the area’s sovereignty.
During Trump's term, Israel experienced relatively fewer conflicts with its adversaries compared to the more unstable period under President Biden.
Following the October 7 attacks by Hamas, which resulted in over 1,100 fatalities, President Biden has shown reluctance to fully support Israel against the terrorist group, imposing sanctions on Israeli settlers in the West Bank.
Biden's stance, seen as an attempt to satisfy his far-left supporters, has involved urging Israel to show restraint in its mission to dismantle Hamas.
President Biden: "I told him, Bibi, and don't repeat this, but you and I are going to have a ‘come to Jesus’ meeting."
— Sawyer Hackett (@SawyerHackett) March 8, 2024
“I’m on a hot mic here. Good. That’s good.” pic.twitter.com/KCgpbx4awf
After his State of the Union address, Biden was overheard mentioning a serious discussion with Netanyahu about delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza. He also praised Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for advocating the replacement of the Israeli prime minister.
Additionally, Biden invited Netanyahu’s political opponent, Benny Gantz, to the White House to discuss with Kamala Harris, who suggested a halt to the conflict, particularly in Rahfah, a city in the southern Gaza Strip where hostages are reportedly held by Hamas.
The VP has decided—after “studying the maps”—that Israel must let Hamas keep the hostages and remain in power.
— Tom Cotton (@TomCottonAR) March 24, 2024
What a disgraceful betrayal of our ally, all to help Biden’s polls with his antisemitic base. https://t.co/lKozZoX9ur
Republicans, including Sen. Tom Cotton from Arkansas, criticized Harris for her stance against endorsing a rescue mission. In an interview on ABC’s “This Week,” she mentioned, after reviewing the maps, that Israel should refrain from entering Rahfah, hinting at possible “consequences” for such actions.
Cotton condemned this on X as a shameful betrayal of an ally, aimed at boosting Biden’s popularity among his base, which he implied holds antisemitic views.
As for the Golan Heights, Biden has remained noncommittal about adhering to the policy set during Trump’s tenure. Nonetheless, Biden’s Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, indicated a future consideration of the policy stance.