(JTA) — The United Nations and the European Union criticized the United States for its decision to recognize Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights.
Fourteen of the 15 members of the U.N. Security Council took to the floor on Wednesday night to slam the Trump administration’s announcement and declaration signed Monday by the president. The United States is the 15th member.
Representatives of Israel and Syria were invited to attend the debate. No formal vote was taken.
Also Wednesday, the European Union released a statement saying it has not changed its position on the Golan Heights.
“In line with the international law and U.N. Security Council resolutions 242 and 497, the European Union does not recognize Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Golan Heights,” read the declaration by the the High Representative on behalf of the EU.
Resolution 242, passed in 1967 after the Six-Day War, calls for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from “territories occupied in the recent conflict,” including the Golan. Resolution 497 was passed in 1981 after Israel extended its laws over the Golan, a de facto annexation, and calls on Israel to rescind the decision.
