US President Donald Trump said on Thursday, 21 March, that the time has come to “fully recognize” Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, in another monumental shift in US Mideast policy by his administration.

"After 52 years it is time for the United States to fully recognize Israel's Sovereignty over the Golan Heights, which is of critical strategic and security importance to the State of Israel and Regional Stability," Trump tweeted.

After 52 years it is time for the United States to fully recognize Israel’s Sovereignty over the Golan Heights, which is of critical strategic and security importance to the State of Israel and Regional Stability!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 21, 2019

Following the announcement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Trump by phone to thank him. “You made history,” his office quoted him telling the US president.

Netanyahu quickly took to Twitter to thank Trump, tweeting: "At a time when Iran seeks to use Syria as a platform to destroy Israel, President Trump boldly recognizes Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. Thank you President Trump!"

At a time when Iran seeks to use Syria as a platform to destroy Israel, President Trump boldly recognizes Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. Thank you President Trump! @realDonaldTrump

— Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) March 21, 2019

The United Nations has rejected Israel’s occupation of the Golan Heights since 1967 when Israeli troops seized the 400 square miles of rocky highlands from Syria during the Arab-Israeli war.

In December 2017, Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital and he moved the US Embassy to the holy city last year.

The US had previously maintained an embassy in Tel Aviv and has for years maintained that Jerusalem's status would be decided only as part of a broader Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement.