Syria's Foreign Ministry blasted U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham on Tuesday for his comments a day earlier in which he vowed to push for U.S. recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, calling them "arrogant" and stressing that Israeli "occupation" will eventually end.
The Syrian ministry's statement said that according to the United Nations, the Golan Heights is considered Syrian occupied lands.
The South Carolina Republican said Monday that he aimed to change the current U.S.-designation of the Golan as a disputed territory. He spoke during a tour of the frontier with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
"The Golan is not disputed. It is in the hands of Israel and will always remain in the hands of Israel," Graham said from a cliff overlooking Syria. "My goal is to try to explain this to the administration," he said.
"I come here as an American. I come here to try to figure out what's best for America. What's best for America is a safe, secure and prosperous Israel," he said.
Graham said, "I will go back the U.S. Senate, working with Senator [Ted] Cruz; I will start an effort to recognize the Golan as part of the State of Israel, now and forever."
He said, "Israel occupied this territory by fighting for its survival. This territory was taken by military force because it was used as a launching point to attack the State of Israel. This territory has a rich Jewish history.
"Strategically, I am standing on one of the most important pieces of ground in the State of Israel."
Companion resolutions calling on the United States to follow through with this recognition were introduced last month by Cruz, and Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wisconsin).
Israel annexed the Golan Heights in 1981, a move not recognized by most of the international community.
The Syrian Foreign Ministry said Golan residents are determined to continue the struggle against Israel until liberation.
