United States Ambassador to Turkey and envoy for Syria, Tom Barrack, has formally walked back recent comments in which he described the Golan Heights as being occupied against international standards. In a statement provided to The Associated Press on Sunday, Barrack clarified that the official position of the United States regarding the territory remains unchanged from the policy established by President Donald Trump in 2019.
The controversy began following an interview with podcaster Mario Nawfal on Friday. During the discussion, Barrack was questioned about potential Israeli ambitions in southern Lebanon. While addressing the topic, he contrasted the situation with the Golan Heights, stating, “In the Golan with Syria, they still occupy the Golan against the UN resolutions, against all of the international order, which has said the Golan is Syria’s.”
Israel has maintained control over the Golan Heights since the 1967 Six-Day War and subsequently annexed the region in 1981. For decades, no nation recognized this annexation until the Trump administration shifted US policy in 2019. Despite the transition to the Biden administration, that recognition remained in place throughout his four-year term, and it has since been supported by other nations, including Colombia.
Barrack’s initial remarks drew immediate backlash from political figures and commentators who support the current US stance. Far-right commentator Laura Loomer publicly demanded his resignation, accusing the ambassador of failing to grasp the nuances of American foreign policy. She shared the 2019 presidential proclamation to highlight the official recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the area.
Republican Senator Rick Scott also weighed in on the controversy, suggesting that the ambassador had failed to conduct proper research before speaking. Scott emphasized that Barrack was confirmed by the Senate specifically to implement the Trump administration’s agenda, noting, “President Trump has been CLEAR about Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights for years!”
Beyond the status of the Golan, Barrack faced criticism for his recent opposition to Israeli airstrikes conducted against a Syrian airbase. During his interview with Nawfal, he speculated that the strikes were a strategic maneuver intended to provoke Turkey, a key ally of the Syrian government. He characterized the military action as a potentially aggressive, though politically calculated, move ahead of the upcoming US midterm elections in November.
The recognition of the Golan Heights as Israeli territory has long been a point of contention in global diplomacy. Legal experts have frequently warned that such recognition undermines the post-World War II international order, which prohibits the acquisition of land through military force. Despite these concerns and the recent diplomatic friction caused by his comments, Barrack’s latest statement serves to realign his public position with the established US executive policy. The report also notes that barrack was asked whether Israel has plans to annex parts of southern Lebanon. The report also notes that israel’s advocates were quick to criticise Barrack’s comment.
Source: Al Jazeera
