Washington, November 13 (RHC)-- U.S. President Barack Obama has rejected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's suggestion to discuss Washington's recognition of Israeli rule over the occupied Golan Heights, according to the white House.

A senior White House official said the U.S. position, which objects to Israel annexing the Golan Heights, remains unchanged, the Haaretz reported on Thursday. The unnamed White House official said Netanyahu's proposal was unjustified and could even harm U.S.-backed militants fighting the Syrian government.

The Obama administration official said Netanyahu raised the issue with Obama as part of a wider discussion during their meeting at the White House earlier this week. The official said Obama left the plea unanswered, and both leaders failed to elaborate on the matter with reporters.

Israel seized the Golan Heights from Syria after the 1967 six-day war, which created an armistice line under Israeli military control. The Zionist regime then proceeded to unilaterally annex the lands, a move that has yet to be recognized by the international community.

Israel has built more than 30 Jewish settlements in the area ever since. And it has also used the region to carry out a number of military operations against the Syrian Army.