US Ambassador Tom Barrack walked back his claim that Syria’s Golan Heights is occupied, reaffirming Washington’s position that the territory belongs to Israel. The United States recognized Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan in 2019 under President Donald Trump, a move not previously recognized by any other country; the Golan was captured by Israel during the 1967 Six-Day War and annexed in 1981, a step that drew international criticism and legal challenges under post‑World War II norms prohibiting acquisition of land by force. In an interview with podcaster Mario Nawfal on Friday, Barrack said the Golan remains “occupied against the UN resolutions and all of the international order,” contradicting his earlier statement that US policy recognizing Israeli sovereignty is unchanged. He added that Israel would find it difficult to annex Lebanese territory, suggesting the Golan’s status is a matter of sovereignty rather than occupation. Israeli officials and commentators, including far‑right commentator Laura Loomer and Republican Senator Rick Scott, criticized the ambassador’s remarks, urging his resignation or noting that he appeared to forget the 2019 executive order affirming Israeli control. Barrack also faced criticism for opposing recent Israeli air strikes on a Syrian airbase, saying they may have been intended to provoke Turkey, a NATO ally that cooperates with the Syrian government. The remarks come amid broader regional tensions, including Colombia’s recent endorsement of Israel’s claim to the Golan and ongoing disputes over Syrian airspace. The statement leaves the Golan’s status unresolved, with the United States continuing to support Israel’s claim while the international community maintains that the territory remains Syrian under UN resolutions.