US senator vows to seek recognition of Israeli rule in Golan

JERUSALEM (AP) " Senator Lindsey Graham says he will push for American recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, a territory it captured from Syria in the 1967 Mideast war.

The South Carolina Republican toured the mountain plateau Monday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and said he aims "to persuade the administration to change that designation that it's not disputed " the Golan is not in dispute."

Israel annexed the Golan Heights in 1981, a move not recognized by most of the international community. Republican senators introduced a bill last month that would recognize Israeli sovereignty over the territory. Graham says there is bipartisan support for such a move.

Israel and Syria remain officially at war. Israel has admitted to carrying out scores of airstrikes in neighboring Syria against Iranian targets.