In response to an inquiry from JI about the status of the Golan Heights, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer’s spokesperson relayed that the Congressman believes that “Israel should maintain control of the Golan Heights.”

This comment comes in the context of growing support among Democrats for a U.S. move to formally recognize Israeli control over the Golan Heights, which Israel gained from Syria in the Six Day War in 1967, and effectively annexed in 1981. When asked if this meant the Maryland representative supported formal recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan, Hoyer’s spokesperson didn’t have more to comment.

Last week, Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) sent a letter to President Trump urging him to recognize Israeli control of the Golan. Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, is also supporting the move.

Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), Ranking Member on the Foreign Affairs Committee, told JI: “The Golan Heights plays a vital role in protecting Israel from threats along its northern border and I fully support recognizing Israeli sovereignty over this land. This will send an important message to Islamic terrorists, and to the regimes in Iran and Syria, that America is committed to an unbreakable bond with Israel.”