Israel’s security cabinet minister Naftali Bennett called on the international community to recognise Israeli sovereignty over the contested Golan Heights, which lies between Syria and Israel.
"I call on the international community: stand with us, recognise Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights now," said Mr Bennet. "Borders are changing daily. Syria, as a state, no longer exists. So this is the time for initiative."
"Who do they want us to give the Golan to? To Assad?,” he said. "It's clear that had we listened to the world and given up the Golan, ISIS (Islamic State) would be swimming in the Galilee," he continued. "Enough with the hypocrisy, already."
His comments come ahead of a visit by US military officer General Martin Dempsey. “."Frankly, no one knows what to do about Syria,” said a diplomat to Reuters. “We're hearing out our allies on this, so that's what Dempsey will do in Israel," he added.