The United States said Wednesday the UN peacekeeping force on the Golan Heights has "a vital role to play in preserving stability between Israel and Syria," an assurance that the Trump administration's recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the strategic plateau won't affect its operation.
Acting US Ambassador Jonathan Cohen told an emergency meeting of the Security Council the force's mandate to ensure that the area of separation between Syria and Israel "is a buffer zone free from any military presence or activities" is of "critical strategic and security importance" to Israel, and "can contribute to the stability of the entire Middle East."
Cohen told an emergency meeting of the Security Council late Wednesday that US recognition that the Golan Heights are part of Israel doesn't affect the 1974 cease-fire agreement between Israel and Syria officially ending the 1973 Mideast war, "nor do we believe that it undermines UNDOF's mandate in any way."
The open meeting was held at Syria's request, and speaker after speaker opposed Trump's recognition and 1981 annexation of the Golan Heights. Many cited a December 1981 Security Council resolution that called Israel's annexation "null and void and without international legal effect."
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