Trump’s Golan Recognition and Gaza Escalation: Playing with Fire in the Middle East

President Trump’s announcement that the US should recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, land Israel seized from Syria in the 1967 war and subsequently annexed in 1981 in violation of international law and UN security council resolutions, reflects the US administration’s complete disdain for established international norms and decades of US policy towards Israel and the Arab-Israeli conflict. As occurred with the US Jerusalem recognition, there is no strategic or diplomatic reasoning behind this announcement, it is dictated domestic politics in the US and Israel. With Israeli elections slated for 9 April, and Netanyahu coming under increased pressure, the announcement is a clear gift for Netanyahu and his right-wing coalition. Yet, its results may further enflame the Middle East, and the recent escalation in Gaza has many concerned about the risk of renewed conflict.