President Trump says the U.S. will soon officially recognize the contested Golan Heights region as a part of Israel, overturning long-standing U.S. policy on the issue.
Ro Aram has the details. Thursday's announcement gives Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a huge foreign policy victory in the middle of his re-election campaign.
The president's announcement also comes as Netanyahu faces an almost certain corruption indictment following an announcement by his country's attorney general.
Trump's tweet also comes just a few days before both leaders are due to meet at the White House.
Previous U.S. administrations have treated the Golan Heights as occupied Syrian territory, in line with UN Security Council resolutions.
In his tweet, President Trump wrote the Golan Heights was of critical strategic and security importance to the State of Israel and Regional Stability.
Netanyahu quickly expressed his gratitude.
"….We're deeply grateful for the unbelievable and unmatchable support for our security and our right to defend ourselves and everything that you do on behalf of Israel and for the State of Israel in so many forms."
The move, however, will draw international opposition, like his decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's territory.
The latest announcement would mean Washington would be breaking the postwar norm of refusing to recognize the forcible annexation of the region.
Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in 1967 during the Six-Day War.
Palestine reacted angrily, with a spokesman for the Palestinian leader saying the decision was another hostile act towards Palestinians.
He even described it as part of President Trump's plan to "liquidate" the Palestinians' cause.
Ro Aram, Arirang News.
