Rivlin: World Should Recognize Golan Heights as Integral Part of Jewish State

The Times of Israel reports: As Israel marked the fiftieth anniversary of its military victory in the Golan Heights during the Six Day War, President Reuven Rivlin called Thursday for global recognition of Israeli rule there, saying the northern territory is “essential” to the survival of the Jewish State.

“The nations of the world must formally recognize that the Golan is an integral part of the state of Israel, and is essential to our existence as a people,” Rivlin told an event celebrating the Jewish communities in the area. “The Golan Heights are strategic to the State of Israel’s ability to exist as a people able to safeguard its borders,” he said.

Israel captured the Golan from Syria in the 1967 war. The West Bank, East Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip and the Sinai Peninsula were also captured by Israel during the conflict, which broke out after Egypt, Syria and Jordan mobilized to attack the Jewish state. Israel never formally annexed the Golan, but in 1981 decided to apply Israeli law there, making it part of the country in every practical sense.