Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Israel renames settlement after Trump
RAMAT TRUMP, Golan Heights — The Israeli Cabinet convened in this hamlet of the Israel-controlled Golan Heights on Sunday to inaugurate a small settlement named after President Donald Trump, a gesture of appreciation for his recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the territory.
Previously known as Bruchim, the settlement is over 30 years old, ringed by land mines and has a population of 10 people. It is roughly 12 miles from the Syrian border and a half-hour drive from the nearest Israeli town, Kiryat Shmona, a community of about 20,000 people near the Lebanese border.
But Israel is hoping the rebranded “Ramat Trump,” Hebrew for “Trump Heights,” will encourage a wave of new residents.
“It’s absolutely beautiful,” said U.S. Ambassador David Friedman, who attended Sunday’s ceremony. Noting that Trump celebrated his birthday on Friday, he said: “I can’t think of a more appropriate and a more beautiful birthday present.”
Friedman and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unveiled a sign trimmed in gold with the name “Trump Heights” and adorned with U.S. and Israeli flags.
Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 Mideast war and annexed it in 1981. Most of the international community considers the move illegal under international law.
During Netanyahu’s visit to Washington in March, Trump signed an executive order recognizing the strategic mountainous plateau as Israeli territory. The decision was widely applauded in Israel.