The US Ambassador to Israel has said Donald Trump may consider officially recognising Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights.

Israel occupied the western portion of the strategic plateau in 1967, after capturing it from Syria.

The heights are still recognised a sovereign Syrian territory under international law and Israel’s decision to imposes its own laws on the territory in 1981 was condemned by the UN Security Council as “null and void and without international legal effect.”

US President Donald Trump’s decision to officially recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel last December was widely condemned by US allies – and if his ambassador to Israel is to be believed, he may be prepared to go further.

In an interview with right-wing newspaper ‘Israel Hayom’ this afternoon, Ambassador David Friedman said there is "certainly" a possibility President Trump will officially recognize Israeli sovereignty in the Golan Heights.

"I can't imagine a circumstance where the Golan Heights will be returned to Syria,” he said.

“I cannot imagine, frankly, a circumstance where the Golan Heights is not a part of Israel forever. There's not even an indigenous population in the Golan Heights seeking autonomy."

He noted that Israel would find itself at a “great security disadvantage” without the Golan Heights, he said he can’t think of a “less deserving person” to hand them over to than Syrian president Bashar al Assad.

He also dismissed any possibility of future US Presidents moving to reverse Trump’s decision on Jerusalem.

"I really can't see that happening, no matter what party is in control," he said.

"In order for an administration to reverse this, they would have to conclude that Jerusalem is not the capital of Israel and Tel Aviv is.

“I think that would be a far more controversial thing to do than what the president did. It would be completely at odds with reality and I don't believe that there is any American politician of any party – of no party – who would take a position that is completely contrary to reality.

“So I don't think that's going to happen."

Israel considers the entirety of Jerusalem its "eternal, undivided capital" - but East Jerusalem is considered illegally occupied under international law.

Palestinians view the Eastern part of the city as their own capital and peacemakers

Before President Trump’s decision, US policy dictated that the final status of Jerusalem would be resolved in peace talks between Israel and Palestine.

On Wednesday, 130 Irish peacekeepers completed their move from the Israeli side of the Golan Heights to the Syrian side.

The Minister of State with responsibility for defence Paul Kehoe said the UN peacekeeping mission in the area remains an “important element in ensuring stability on the Golan Heights and in the Middle East region and is supported and welcomed by Syria and Israel.”