The UK continues to view the Golan Heights as occupied territory, despite voting against a UN resolution calling for Israel’s withdrawal. A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office reaffirmed Britain’s stance, stating that it does not recognize Israel’s annexation of the Golan Heights.

The UN resolution, which was passed with 97 votes in favor, 64 abstentions, and 24 non-votes, called for Israel to withdraw from the Syrian Golan Heights to the pre-1967 borders. The UK’s vote against the resolution was due to the involvement of Syria as a proponent, which the UK criticized as disproportionate and deflecting attention from Syria’s own actions.

This stance contrasts with former US President Donald Trump’s 2019 recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, a move Israel celebrated by naming a settlement “Trump Heights.” Israel captured two-thirds of the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 Six-Day War and formally annexed the area in 1981, but much of the international community, including the UK, considers it Syrian territory.

The Golan Heights remains a strategically important area and has been subject to rocket attacks, including a deadly Hezbollah attack earlier this year, which resulted in the deaths of 12 children.