Barrack Walks Back Golan Remarks, Reaffirming Trump’s 2019 Sovereignty Policy

3 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · Aug 23

Tom Barrack said Sunday his remark that Israel “still” occupies the Golan Heights was only a description of the territory’s historical status, not support for the U.N. view.
The clarification restored alignment with President Donald Trump’s 2019 recognition of Israeli sovereignty after Barrack’s Friday interview triggered criticism in Washington, including from Senator Rick Scott.
Barrack said he had cited the Golan while arguing that land taken by force can remain disputed for generations and that negotiated agreements matter more than maps, particularly in discussing southern Lebanon.
He also denied suggesting Hezbollah or Iran should join U.S.-backed Israel-Lebanon talks, saying Washington does not negotiate with the designated terrorist group and was only noting Iran’s role in arming it.
The episode comes as Israel-Turkey tensions rise over Syria after Israeli strikes on the Abu Duhur airbase, which Israeli officials said were meant to block a Turkish foothold.