President Donald Trump on Thursday announced the United States should recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, an area seized from Syria and annexed in a move never recognized by the international community.

(L to R) US Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) is accompanied by Israeli Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman as they visit the border line between Syria and the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights on March 11, 2019. The influential US senator allied to President Donald Trump toured the occupied Golan Heights on March 11 and vowed to work to have Washington recognise Israeli sovereignty over the strategic plateau. Graham's pledge was a boost to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who toured the Golan with him, ahead of April 9 Israeli elections. [File photo: Pool/AFP/Ronen Zvulun]

"After 52 years it is time for the United States to fully recognize Israel's Sovereignty over the Golan Heights," Trump said in a tweet.

Trump called the territory "of critical strategic and security importance to the State of Israel and Regional Stability!"