Controversies

The law provoked strong international criticism and was not recognised internationally^[8][3] It was determined null and void by United Nations Security Council Resolution 497.^[9][10]


On March 25, 2019, the United States recognized the Golan Heights as sovereign Israeli territory.^[6] Following the U.S. announcement, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on behalf of the UN stated that it is "clear that the status of Golan has not changed."^[7]


Unusually, all three readings took place on the same day. This procedure was heavily criticized by the centre-left opposition. Substantially, the law has mainly been criticized for potentially hindering future negotiations with Syria.


While the Israeli public at large, and especially the law's critics, viewed it as an annexation, the law avoids the use of the word. Prime Minister Menachem Begin responded to Amnon Rubinstein's criticism by saying, "You use the word 'annexation.' I do not use it," and noting that similar wording was used in a 1967 law authorizing the government to apply Israeli law to any part of the Land of Israel.