Syrian president to Trump: Why not give Israel New Jersey instead of the Golan?

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has revealed details of a conversation with US President Donald Trump at the White House, during which they discussed Washington's decision to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Syrian Golan Heights.

Al-Assad said he asked Trump, "Why don't you give them New Jersey?"—a sarcastic reference to the idea of offering a US state instead of occupied Syrian land.

The Syrian president added that he stressed during the meeting that the Golan "belongs to its people," and that no party has the right to relinquish it, suggesting to Trump that New Jersey be given to Israel instead of the Golan.

Al-Assad's sarcastic remark

In the same context, Al-Assad joked, "I think New Jersey is full of Democrats and they don't vote for Trump," alluding to the state's political leanings.