Introduction to the Golan Heights
The Golan Heights, a basaltic mountain plateau east of the upper Jordan River and the Sea of Galilee, is a significant region in the Middle East with a disputed territorial claim. Situated in southwestern Syria and northeastern Israel, this area has been a subject of contention between Israel and Syria since the 1967 Six-Day War.
Geographical and Strategic Significance
The Golan Heights is a hilly area characterized by its elevated terrain, with strategic locations overlooking the surrounding region. Geographically, it is located at the southern end of the Anti-Lebanon mountain range, bordering the Jordan Rift Valley to the east and the Sea of Galilee to the west.
During the Six-Day War in 1967, Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria. Israel has since formally annexed the territory in 1981, although this annexation is not recognized by the international community. Syria considers the Golan Heights as part of its territory under Israeli occupation.
Strategic Importance and Natural Resources
The region is of significant strategic importance due to its elevation and control over vital water sources such as the Jordan River and the Sea of Galilee. Additionally, the Golan Heights has historical and archaeological significance, featuring numerous ancient ruins and sites.
United Nations and International Resolutions
The United Nations and various international resolutions have condemned Israel's annexation of the Golan Heights. For example, United Nations Security Council Resolution 497, adopted on 17 December 1981, declared the Israeli Golan Heights Law as null and void, calling for the rescission of this action. Similarly, United Nations General Assembly Resolution 66/225, adopted on 22 December 2011, reaffirmed the right of the Palestinian people and the population of the occupied Golan Heights over their natural resources and demanded Israel to cease exploiting, damaging, causing loss, or depletion of those resources.
Demographic and Livelihood Challenges
The demographic situation in the Golan Heights has been greatly affected, especially following the Israeli occupation. Similar to the situation in Palestine, many villages of the native population were razed down, and ethnic cleansing has been carried out, as part of Israel's settler colonial ideology. Historical sites, including mosques, were also not respected. This ethnic cleansing has led to a significant displacement of the local population. Notably, the remaining Syrian inhabitants are predominantly Druze, who either refuse citizenship offered by Israel or choose to identify as Syrian.
Current Status and Future Outlook
Despite Israel's efforts to claim the Golan Heights as an integral part of its territory, the international community and Syria itself continue to consider it part of Syria. Various deals offered by Syria to solve the problem have been ignored or declined by Israel. However, it is widely believed that the Golan Heights will eventually return to Syria.