President Donald Trump says the United States should "fully recognize Israel's sovereignty" over the Golan Heights. Both the U.S. and the United Nations have viewed the disputed area as occupied Syrian territory for 52 years.
He made the push on Twitter Thursday saying the move "is of critical strategic and security importance."
Israel seized Golan Heights from Syria in the Six-Day War of 1967 and annexed it in 1981.
In a joint press conference with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it a "miracle."
"We are deeply grateful for the U.S. support. We're deeply grateful for the unbelievable and unmatchable support for our security and our right to defend ourselves," said Netanyahu.
Netanyahu stands to benefit politically from the announcement because of his continued pressure on the U.S. to recognize the Golan Heights as part of Israel. He goes up for re-election in just a few weeks and is scheduled to visit the White House next Monday.
If it's formalized, the change would follow President Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and relocate the U.S. Embassy to the city from Tel Aviv.
Additional reporting from Newsy affiliate CNN.
