Members of the Druze community in the Golan Heights gathered on the Israeli and Syrian sides of the border to protest Trump’s recent recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the territory.
By World Israel News Staff
On Saturday, hundreds of demonstrators gathered in the Golan Heights to protest an announcement made by President Donald Trump on Thursday that the U.S. recognizes Israeli sovereignty over the territory.
Trump’s announcement arrived over five decades after Israel first captured the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 Six Day War, annexing it for all intents and purposes despite lack of acknowledgement from the international community that the territory belongs to Israel.
The protests on Saturday were focused in Majdal Shams on the Israeli side of border, with IDF forces remaining on high alert for the outbreak of violence.
For the past year, Israeli security forces have battled violent riots along the southern border with Gaza organized by the Hamas terror group, which is bankrolled by Iran. Meanwhile in Syria, the Iranian terror proxy Hezbollah maintains a significant presence, posing a threat to the Jewish state on its northern border.
In addition to waving Syrian flags, the Druze who gathered in Majdal Shams on Saturday also displayed pictures of Syria’s brutal dictator Bashar Assad, Times of Israel reported.
Across the border in the Syrian town of Quneitra, protesters also gathered to denounce Trump’s announcement, with the IDF declaring in advance that it was prepared for possible escalations.
On Thursday, Trump tweeted that the time had arrived “for the United States to fully recognize Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights,” with White House staff currently preparing an official US declaration recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the territory.
Trump will reportedly sign the declaration when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits Washington during the coming days, according to reports in the Israeli media.
Trump’s announcement was panned by Syria and its backers Russia, Iran, and Turkey. The European Union on Friday also announced it will not alter its position on the Golan and refuses to recognize it as Israeli territory.