What is The Golan Heights: why is Center of Conflict?

Introduction

The Golan Heights is a small region of land located at the southern border of Syria and the northern border of Israel. It has been a center of conflict for decades, and its strategic location has made it a focal point for political, military, and social tensions. This blog post will explore the geography and history of the Golan Heights, the ongoing conflict, potential solutions, and the social impact of the conflict.

Geography

The Golan Heights is a plateau that covers approximately 1,800 square kilometers. It is located at an elevation of 1,000 meters above sea level and is bordered by the Sea of Galilee to the west, the Yarmouk River to the south, and the Hula Valley to the north. The Golan Heights is known for its rugged terrain, with steep cliffs and deep valleys, and its natural resources, including water, fertile land, and mineral deposits.

History

The biblical times

The Golan Heights has a rich history, dating back to biblical times. The area was inhabited by Canaanites, Israelites, and other ancient peoples, and it was conquered by various empires, including the Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans. In the 7th century, the Golan Heights was conquered by Arab armies and became part of the Islamic Caliphate.

20th century

In the early 20th century, the Golan Heights was part of the Ottoman Empire, and after World War I, it became part of French-mandated Syria. In 1948, when Israel declared independence, Syria and several other Arab countries launched a war against Israel. When the war ended, Israel controlled part of the Golan Heights, while Syria controlled the rest.

The Golan Heights is a region located in southwestern Syria.

Here are some key points in its history:

The region has been inhabited since ancient times, with evidence of settlements dating back to the Bronze Age.
The Golan Heights became part of the Roman Empire in the 1st century BCE and remained under Roman control until the Arab conquest in the 7th century CE.
Throughout the medieval period, the Golan Heights was fought over by various Muslim and Christian forces, including the Crusaders.
In the 16th century, the Ottoman Empire gained control of the Golan Heights and it remained under Ottoman rule until the end of World War I.
Following World War I, the Golan Heights became part of French-mandated Syria, which later gained independence in 1946.
In 1967, during the Six-Day War between Israel and Arab nations, Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria and has occupied the territory since.
In 1981, Israel officially annexed the Golan Heights, a move that has not been recognized by the international community.
The annexation of the Golan Heights has been a point of contention between Israel and Syria, and has been a key issue in attempts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Today, the Golan Heights is home to around 50,000 people, the majority of whom are Jewish settlers. The region is also home to several Druze villages, who have maintained ties to Syria despite living under Israeli rule.

Conflict

The conflict over the Golan Heights has been ongoing since the 1967 Six-Day War, when Israel captured the remaining part of the Golan Heights from Syria. Since then, Syria has demanded the return of the Golan Heights, and the international community has generally regarded Israel’s presence in the area as illegal under international law.

In the 1973 Yom Kippur War, Syria attempted to retake the Golan Heights but was unsuccessful. Since then, there have been occasional clashes between Israeli and Syrian forces in the area, but no major conflicts.

Potential Solutions

There have been several attempts to resolve the conflict over the Golan Heights. One proposal is for Israel to return the Golan Heights to Syria in exchange for a peace agreement. Another proposal is for the Golan Heights to become a demilitarized zone under the control of the United Nations or an international peacekeeping force.

Social Impact

The Druze

The conflict over the Golan Heights has had a significant social impact on the people who live in the area. The Golan Heights is home to approximately 50,000 people, most of whom are Druze, a religious minority that is ethnically distinct from both Arabs and Jews. The Druze have been divided over the issue of the Golan Heights, with some supporting Israeli control and others supporting Syrian control.

The conflict has also affected the economy of the Golan Heights. Before the conflict, the area was known for its agriculture, particularly its apple orchards. However, the conflict has made it difficult for farmers to export their products, and many orchards have been abandoned.

Conclusion

The conflict over the Golan Heights is complex and multifaceted, with historical, political, and social dimensions. While there have been attempts to resolve the conflict, a lasting solution has yet to be found. The ongoing conflict has had a significant social impact on the people who live in the area, and it has also affected the economy of the region. It is important for the international community to continue to work towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict in order to promote stability, security, and prosperity for the people of the Golan Heights and the wider region.

Resources:

BBC News. (2021). Golan Heights: Israel’s Syria occupied land and its impact on the region. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-48350878
Council on Foreign Relations. (2021). The Golan Heights. Retrieved from https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/golan-heights
United Nations. (2021). The situation in the Middle East. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/unispal/conflict-in-the-middle-east/the-situation-in-the-middle-east/