U.S. Ambassador to Israel: It's possible we will recognize Golan Heights

Friedman revealed in the interview that Israeli intelligence prevented terrorist attacks on US soil, Israel Hayom reported.

By YVETTE J. DEANE
Updated: SEPTEMBER 6, 2018 12:41
U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman Welcomes public to the New embassy in Jerusalem (photo credit: screenshot)
U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman Welcomes public to the New embassy in Jerusalem
(photo credit: screenshot)
US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman said "it's possible", that the US might recognize the Golan Heights in the future in an interview with Israeli daily Israel Hayom.
"I personally can not imagine a situation in which the Golan Heights will be returned to Syria," Friedman said.  "And giving up the territory of the Golan Heights may put Israel in a great security disadvantage."
Friedman made it clear in the interview that the Trump administration might consider future American recognition of the Golan Heights as an Israeli territory, according to Israel Hayom.
The ambassador was asked to respond to US National Security Adviser John Bolton's statements from three weeks ago concerning the Golan Heights where Bolton told Reuters that "there's no discussion of it, no decision within the US government."
Friedman clarified that Bolton was describing the current situation and not the US's future position.
In addition, Friedman rejected the possibility that any American government would reverse President Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. "I do not see it happening, no matter which party is in power," he said.  "In order for any government to cancel the move, they will have to reach the conclusion that Jerusalem is not the capital of Israel, but Tel Aviv."
Furthermore, the ambassador described talks between the administration and Israel concerning the West Bank and said that the Israelis have not yet approached the Americans about creating territorial contiguity between Jerusalem and the adjacent settlement of Ma'aleh Adumim, which would likely remain part of Israel in the event of territorial swaps for a two-state solution.
Friedman also addressed the recent decision by the administration to cut UNWRA budgets, and said "UNRWA is a critically damaged organization. It does not promote regional peace and perpetuates the conditions that make peace more difficult. As such, the US does not see how another investment in it will restore its value properly for the US taxpayer. "
Friedman revealed in the interview that Israeli intelligence prevented terrorist attacks on US soil, Israel Hayom reported.
The ambassador also spoke about Trump's overall policy and the recent investigations surrounding Trump's administration.