Donald Trump has said it is time for the US to back Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Golan Heights territory Israel seized from Syria during the 1967 Middle East War.
In a tweet the US president said: “After 52 years it is time for the United States to fully recognise Israel’s Sovereignty over the Golan Heights, which is of critical strategic and security importance to the State of Israel and Regional Stability!”
Israel applied its administration and law to Golan in 1981, an act that was not recognised by other governments.
Syria has consistently sought to regain sovereignty over the area.
Israeli Prime Minister Benajmin Netanyahu thanked Mr Trump on Thursday.
"At a time when Iran seeks to use Syria as a platform to destroy Israel, President Trump boldly recognizes Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. Thank you President Trump!"
Mr Netanyahu has warned about the military "entrenchment" of his country's arch-enemy Iran in the Syria conflict.
There was no immediate response from the Syrian government.
The recognition of the disputed area would mark a major shift in US policy a week before Mr Netanyahu arrives in Washington to meet with Mr Trump and address the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
The Prime Minister faces an election in Israel on April 9 and has been pressing for the United States to recognise its claim to sovereignty over the Golan Heights.
Mr Netanyahu raised the possibility of US recognition in his first White House meeting with Trump in February 2017.
