Netanyauhu Thanks US for Opposing UN Resolution on Golan Heights

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked the United States on Sunday for voting against the UN resolution condemning Israel for occupying the Golan Heights area located at the Israeli-Syrian border.

On Friday, the United States voted at the UN General Assembly committee against the resolution for the first time ever after constantly abstaining from voting before. However, the resolution, which the UN General Assembly renews annually, was easily passed, with 151 countries supporting it, 14 others abstaining, and only the United States and Israel voting against it.

Syria lost the Golan Heights to Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War between Israel and the neighbouring states of Egypt, Jordan and Syria. The United Nations did not recognize Israeli sovereignty over the region and brokered a Syrian-Israeli armistice in 1974, urging Israel to leave parts of the Golan Heights.

In 1981, Israel adopted a law extending its jurisdiction over the territory, de-facto annexing the Golan Heights after managing the territory through a military administration for over a decade. This move has not been internationally recognized

VIDEO: Golan Druze rally in support of Assad

Dozens of Arab Druze who live in the Occupied Golan Heights have gathered at the Syria-Israel borders to show support for the Syrian President and celebrate the final stages of the bloody war.

The celebratory rally was received with joy and mutual pride by the Syrian Army soldiers just a few meters away, who waved back and chanted loyalty to Assad.

This also comes as the country celebrates the 45th anniversary of October War where the Syrian forces managed to liberate huge chunk of territories from the Israeli occupation.

The war, which was led by the late Syrian leader Hafez Assad, retains a special significance for the Syrians who, ever since, regard the Golan Heights as an occupied Syrian land that must be eventually restored.