US envoy Barrack draws MAGA backlash over Golan remarks
This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.
US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack said Israel continues to occupy the Golan Heights in violation of UN resolutions, drawing sharp criticism from Trump supporters. Laura Loomer called for his resignation and urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to correct him. The remarks came as President Trump announced an unprecedented economic campaign against Iran.
Key Facts
- Barrack said in a Friday interview with Mario Nawfal that Israel continues to occupy the Golan Heights in violation of UN resolutions.
- Laura Loomer wrote on X that Barrack should resign because he does not understand US foreign policy.
- Trump signed a presidential decree on March 25, 2019 recognizing the Golan Heights as part of Israel.
- Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 war and annexed the territory in 1981.
- Barrack said the Israeli strike on Syria's Abu Zuhur air base brought Turkey and Israel to the brink of direct military conflict.
The Golan Remarks
Barrack made the remarks last Friday in an interview with Lebanese-Australian entrepreneur Mario Nawfal. He said Israel continues to occupy the Golan on the Syrian border in violation of UN resolutions and the entire international order that states the Golan belongs to Syria. The ambassador's statement contradicted the official US policy set by President Trump. Trump signed a presidential decree on March 25, 2019 recognizing the Golan Heights as part of the State of Israel, reversing decades of American policy. Israel captured the strategic Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 war and formally annexed the territory in 1981 under its own laws.
MAGA Backlash
Laura Loomer, a close Trump ally and far-right activist, wrote on X that Barrack should resign because he does not understand US foreign policy. Loomer called on Secretary of State Marco Rubio to correct the ambassador. She claimed without evidence that Barrack had been influenced by Arab money. The criticism came as Trump announced this week an unprecedented economic war campaign against Iran. Trump promised an economic D-Day aimed at forcing Tehran to abandon its nuclear program and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Turkey-Israel Tensions
In the same interview, Barrack said the Israeli strike on Syria's Abu Zuhur air base brought Turkey and Israel to the brink of direct military conflict. He said Ankara was not informed of the operation. Barrack added that Israel may be provoking the Turks.
1 source
US envoy Barrack draws MAGA backlash over Golan remarks
