Cruz Endorses Netanyahu’s Call to Recognize Israel’s Sovereignty Over Golan Heights

Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz on Sunday endorsed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s call to recognize Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights.

Speaking at the start of the weekly Cabinet meeting held on Israel’s border Sunday morning, Netanyahu said he had told Secretary of State John Kerry in a recent phone call that the Golan Heights is not on the table for discussion in the ongoing talks to settle the Syrian civil war.

“I chose to hold this festive Cabinet meeting on the Golan Heights in order to deliver a clear message: The Golan Heights will forever remain in Israel’s hands. Israel will never come down from the Golan Heights,” Netanyahu said. “The time has come for the international community to recognize reality, especially two basic facts. One, whatever is beyond the border, the boundary itself will not change. Two, after 50 years, the time has come for the international community to finally recognize that the Golan Heights will remain under Israel’s sovereignty permanently.”

In a statement issued hours after the Prime Minister’s remarks, Cruz stated, “Today, the government of Israel reiterated the reality that the Golan Heights are part of Israel’s sovereign territory. Given the presence of hostile terrorist organizations ranging from ISIS to Hezbollah on Israel’s northern border, it is foolhardy and dangerous for elements in the international community to try to pressure Israel to abandon the Golan to the chaos engulfing Syria. The path to peace cannot involve Israel’s abdication of its own security.”

“I applaud Prime Minister Netanyahu’s courage in standing up for the safety of his people. America stands with you,” the Republican presidential hopeful said.