Israel announced on Sunday its plan to double the population of the occupied Golan Heights, emphasizing the strategic importance of the region amid ongoing tensions with Syria. The announcement comes as rebel forces in Syria consolidate control following the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad a week ago.
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“Strengthening the Golan is strengthening the State of Israel, and it is especially important at this time,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement. “We will continue to hold onto it, cause it to blossom, and settle in it.”
Historical Context and Strategic Importance
Israel seized the Golan Heights from Syria during the 1967 Six-Day War, later annexing it in 1981—a move widely unrecognized by the international community. In 2019, then-U.S. President Donald Trump declared American support for Israeli sovereignty over the Golan, though most countries continue to regard it as occupied territory.
Netanyahu has reiterated Israel’s refusal to withdraw from the Golan, citing security concerns. He also emphasized the necessity of maintaining control over the area to prevent potential threats from Syria, where various rebel groups now wield power following Assad’s removal.
Demographic Growth Initiative
The Israeli government has approved a 40-million-shekel ($11 million) initiative aimed at boosting the population in the Golan Heights. Netanyahu stated that this plan reflects the urgency of “the war and the new front facing Syria.”
Currently, the Golan is home to approximately 31,000 Israeli settlers and 24,000 Druze, an Arab minority who largely identify as Syrian. Many settlers are engaged in farming, particularly vineyards, and tourism, according to Avraham Levine, an analyst at the Alma Research and Education Center specializing in Israel’s northern security challenges.
Regional Condemnation
The decision to expand settlement activity in the Golan has drawn sharp criticism from Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE. The UAE, which normalized relations with Israel in 2020, described the move as a “deliberate effort to expand the occupation.”
Syrian Response and Border Developments
Ahmad al-Sharaa, Syria’s de facto leader and head of the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, accused Israel of using false pretexts to justify its actions. While Sharaa expressed opposition to Israeli strikes on Syrian territory, he stated that his focus remains on reconstruction and stability, avoiding further military confrontations.
Since Assad’s ousting, Israel has entered a demilitarized zone on the Syrian side of the Golan Heights, including the strategic Mount Hermon. Israeli forces have occupied an abandoned Syrian military post in the area, describing the incursion as a temporary measure for border security.
Israel has also intensified airstrikes in Syria, targeting strategic weapons depots and military infrastructure. The Israeli government asserts these operations aim to prevent arms from reaching rebel factions linked to groups such as al-Qaeda and Islamic State.
Calls for Diplomacy
In an interview with Syria TV, Sharaa emphasized the importance of diplomacy to ensure security and stability in the region. He warned against “uncalculated military adventures” and urged all parties to prioritize reconstruction and peace over further conflict.
Looking Ahead
The Golan Heights remains a focal point of geopolitical tensions, with Israel asserting its strategic value while regional actors condemn its actions. As Syria rebuilds after years of civil war, the area is poised to remain a flashpoint in broader Middle Eastern dynamics.
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