Israel took control over the Golan Heights in the Six Day War in 1967. In this war, it was decided that for the security of the country, Israel will take control of it. Why? Ever since the creation of the Jewish State, Israel in 1947 and the establishment in 1948, Israeli citizens in the north had been under attack from terrorist daily attacking them. Now, the Golan is a small piece of land, as this map shows:
However, this map does now show how important that tiny strip of land is. Let us look at this map and further explain the importance of the Golan Heights.
As you can see, the country that controls this territory will have a great advantage over the other two. In this case, because Israel is in control, it has a great view of both Lebanon and Syria. How, you may ask? Well, the Golan is mostly a very hilly region with great views of both countries; therefore, Israel is able to see any activities that may be going on in both countries when it comes to combating terrorism. Also, the Golan has a lake called the Kinneret which gives Israel's population 1/3 of it's water.Now, I really and sincerely hope these discussions with Syria do lead to a meaningful and lasting peace; however, we need to be careful. I came upon this short article while browsing the internet from Syria's Deputy Foreign Minister Fayssal Mekdad said that Syria has the "non-peaceful" capabilities for getting the Golan from Israel. He also said "What is preferable - liberating the Golan through peace and without bloodshed or liberating the land through war? We are not afraid of launching a peace process with Israel." How I see this quote is that the option for a possible war between Israel and Syria for the Golan is very much possible.
My advice to Israel is too seek peace, but to tread very carefully, because I'm not convinced Syria is a real partner for peace.
3 comments:
Thank you for this insightful article. I knew the Golan was important as a buffer state.
But I had no idea the full strategic importantance in such detail. It is important that Israel not surrender the Golan or else it will be harder to retake if it's needed.
~Gary
Wait, return what is not Israel's? Last time I checked the UN Partition Plan, the Golan Heights, at least part of it, was part of the plan which the Arabs rejected.
Next, if the Jews apparently "raped" another nation of their own home, how come when the UN partition plan in 1947 came out, the text specifically states that certain territories would be designated an ARAB COUNTRY and not a PALESTINIAN COUNTRY.
Finally, your supposed referencing of Israel as a colonial power intent on conquering the Middle East, every war (other than the Six Day War in 1967, which was a preeminent strike against Egypt and Syria) Israel has fought has been a defensive war to protect itself and it citizens.
Also, it should be noted that the plan to go into the Golan was a decision by the leadership in 1967 was because terrorists, mainly Palestinian, would use the strategic importance of the Golan Height to terrorize the local Israeli citizens; therefore, it was decided for the sake to protect its citizens, that we should take the Golan Heights, a territory which would've been ours anyway had the Arabs decided that Israel is, was, and never will be, denying over 3,000 years of Jewish history as well as a continued presence in the land of Israel ever since the destruction of the Second Temple.
Greg, the latest Lebanon escapade was not entirely defensive. And it could have been stopped within days.
Plus, Israel has continued to stoke the fire by its daily breaches of Lebanese airspace. an act of aggression by any definition.
I would not like to be a neighbour of Israel at the moment.
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