"The Minister presented Iraq's firm stance on the Golan, which is a categorical rejection of the recognition of the sovereignty of the Zionist entity on the Golan Heights and that it is a blatant violation of international legitimacy and [UN] Security Council resolutions," read a statement from Foreign Minister Mohammed Ali al-Hakim on Friday.
He spoke at a meeting with regional foreign ministers at a preparatory meeting in Tunisia for the Arab League Summit.
On Monday, US President Donald Trump signed a proclamation for the United States to fully recognize Israel's 1967 annexation of the Golan Heights, while standing next to its Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
After 52 years it is time for the United States to fully recognize Israel’s Sovereignty over the Golan Heights, which is of critical strategic and security importance to the State of Israel and Regional Stability!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 21, 2019
Syria unequivocally rejected Trump's decision, calling it a "slap to the international community."
"Syria affirmed its absolute and clear rejection of US President Donald Trump's decision to recognize annexation of the occupied Golan to the Zionist entity," read a statement from Syrian Foreign Ministry on Monday, citing an unnamed ministry official.
The source added that the US decision is the "highest disrespect" to international legitimacy and offensive to international community.
Netanyahu called Trump's two decisions: to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and sovereignty over the Golan Heights "profound."
"[Y]our decision to recognize Israel’s sovereignty on the Golan Heights is so historic. Your recognition is a two-fold act of historic justice. Israel won the Golan Heights in a just war of self-defense, and the Jewish people’s roots in the Golan go back thousands of years," read a statement from Netanyahu's office after the meeting.
Washington justified the move by saying Israel needs to be able to defend against Iranian and Syrian threats to the area.
"[A] lack of Israel’s ability to defend that area would be to undermine Israeli security, and enhancing the Golan Heights is to enhance Israel’s security and which strengthens, frankly, our ability to partner with Israel to fight the common threats that we face," US Secretary of State deputy spokesperson Robert Palladino said during a press briefing on Tuesday.
Among several other Arab-majority nations, Iraq has long opposed the Jewish state, participating in the wars of 1967 and 1973, and siding with the Palestinians. Iraqi passport holders are not permitted to visit. Close relations with Iran – a key opponent of Israel – has allowed this animosity to continue.
Iraq was once home to one of the largest Jewish communities outside Israel. Up to 130,000 Jewish Iraqis left the county in the 1950s to live in the fledgling Israeli state, all but ending a long and rich history in Baghdad.
