US envoy Barrack retracts Golan occupation comment, reaffirms Trump policy
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US Ambassador Tom Barrack retracted his statement that Syria's Golan Heights is occupied, reaffirming President Trump's 2019 recognition of Israeli sovereignty. The reversal came after criticism from Republican Senator Rick Scott and far-right commentator Laura Loomer. Barrack told the Associated Press that US policy on the Golan is unchanged.
Key Facts
- Barrack told the Associated Press that US policy on the Golan was set by President Trump in 2019 and is unchanged.
- Israel occupied the Golan during the 1967 Six-Day War and annexed the territory in 1981.
- Republican Senator Rick Scott said Barrack was confirmed by the Senate to enact Trump's agenda and shared Trump's executive order on the Golan Heights.
- Far-right commentator Laura Loomer called on Barrack to resign for his lack of understanding of US foreign policy.
The Retraction
Barrack walked back his comment on Sunday, underscoring Trump's policy of recognising Israel's claimed sovereignty over the Golan Heights. In an interview with podcaster Mario Nawfal on Friday, Barrack said Israel still occupies the Golan against UN resolutions and the international order. Barrack told the Associated Press that US policy on the Golan was set by President Trump in 2019 and is unchanged.
Political Backlash
Republican Senator Rick Scott criticised Barrack, saying the ambassador was confirmed by the Senate to enact Trump's agenda. Scott shared Trump's executive order on the Golan Heights and wrote that Trump has been clear about Israel's sovereignty for years. Far-right commentator Laura Loomer called on Barrack to resign, sharing Trump's 2019 proclamation that the Golan belongs to Israel.
Golan Status
Israel occupied the Golan during the 1967 Six-Day War and annexed the territory in 1981. Until Trump backed the Israeli claim, no country had recognised the Golan as part of Israel. Colombia's right-wing government recently joined the US in backing Israel's claim on the Golan.
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US envoy Barrack retracts Golan occupation comment, reaffirms Trump policy
