Golan Heights

The Golan Heights: Israel Vs Palestine

To what extent has the Golan eights affected the Israeli and Palestinian society, and to what extent has it created conflict between the two countries?

Andrew Cherny

History 10

3/10/10

Word Count: 1,750

History IA: Golan Heights

Plan of Investigation:

This investigation aims to assess the relationship of the Israeli and Palestinian population and the effect of the Golan Heights has on Israel and Palestine. The investigation will work between the dates of the Six-day war, to the present day. In order to answer the question, evidence will be based on analyzing sources formed on dealing will both Israeli and Palestinian beliefs, the Golan Heights and the conflict it has created, and the ethnic war that continues to be ablaze.

Summary of Evidence:

"The June 1967 War was a watershed event in the history of Israel and the Middle East. After only six days of fighting, Israel had radically altered the political map of the region. By June 13, Israeli forces had captured the Gol1an Heights from Syria. . In Israel, the ease of the victory, the expansion of the state's territory, and the reuniting of Jerusalem, the holiest place in Judaism, permanently altered political discourse (Studies/Areas Handbook, excerpt).”

“Overlooking northern Israel and southern Syria, the heights give Israel an excellent vantage point for monitoring Syrian movements” (BBC News, 1) “The strategic value of the Golan Heights to Israel cannot be overstated. As with the mountain ridges of (the West Bank), the visual and radar stations located there give advance warning of any approach from Syria” (Palestinianfacts,1).” “The area is also a key source of water for an arid region. Rainwater from the Golan's catchment feeds into the Jordan River. The area provides a third of Israel's water supply (BBC News, 1).” Although this area continues to cause conflict, Israeli leaders are ready to talk about peace treaties with Syria. “Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday after meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama in Washington that he was ready to resume the talks with Syria immediately, but indicated he would not make any commitments on land first”(Baghdadi, 1).

Syria continues to try to take over the Golan Heights, for many of the same reasons that Israel continues to control and use it towards their advantage. "Since 1974, Syria has adhered to the cease-fire on the Golan, largely because of the presence of Israeli troops within artillery range of Damascus. But during this time, Syria has provided a haven and supported numerous terrorist groups that attack Israel from Lebanon and other countries. Syrian forces aimed at retaking the Golan. The Israeli Defense Forces have countered the Syrian moves; however, and -- to this point -- preserved the peace”(Bard, 3). Syria continues to proceed offers to try and create peace deals with Israel, but it shows that both sides are unsatisfied with each others offers. “Syria wants to secure the return of the Golan Heights as part of any peace deal. In late 2003, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said he was ready to revive peace talks with Israel. Syria wants a full Israeli withdrawal to the pre-1967 border. This would give Damascus control of the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee (what is the dispute, 1).

Evaluation of Sources:

The Origin of this source is AbsoluteAstronomy.com and it is a part of an encyclopedia that has information on every part of Golan Heights. The information ranges from the geography of Golan Heights to specific people and monuments and how the impacted the area. The purpose of this source is aimed at students or people studying this area of the world and the conflicts that lie within it. It is to inform people of what is going on in the Golan Heights, and to help people get a better understanding of the Heights. Some Values ...

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Evaluation of Sources:

The Origin of this source is AbsoluteAstronomy.com and it is a part of an encyclopedia that has information on every part of Golan Heights. The information ranges from the geography of Golan Heights to specific people and monuments and how the impacted the area. The purpose of this source is aimed at students or people studying this area of the world and the conflicts that lie within it. It is to inform people of what is going on in the Golan Heights, and to help people get a better understanding of the Heights. Some Values of this source are that it gives a wide variety of information dealing with conflicts in the Golan. It gives clean-cut information dealing with these disputes, and gives analysis on the subject. Also it has great geographical information that gives detailed descriptions on the land of the Golan Heights. One limitation of this source is the time at which the source was written, 2002. Although this is not that far back in history, it may be hard for this source to give accurate information dealing with the 1967 six day war, or the 1973 Yom Kippur war.
Procon.org is a website that gives the pro’s and con’s of controversial subjects in the world. This source has 2 parts that deal with the Golan Heights and the on going disputes between Israel and Palestine. The sources purpose is to analyze the arguments and steps taken forward to deal with this conflict in the Heights between Palestine and Israel. Some values of this source are that there are 2 parts of the source that are quotes from important ambassadors that deal with the problems within the heights and the steps they will take to create peace between the two countries. Some limitations of the source are that some of the quotes are from news broadcasting groups and specialist from other areas of the world, so there is always the question of being bias.

Analysis:

The strategic value of Golan Heights cannot be overemphasized

The geography of this area has been the key to survival and safety for Israel. The topography of the Golan Heights creates a natural blockade from and military attack sent from Syria. This area is basically one high altitude plateau that over looks the south side of Syria, which provides a good vantage point for the Israeli military to keep an eye on any movement of the Syrian military. An advance in ballistic technology has increased the need for the higher ground of Golan Heights. Both Syria and Israel continue to politically fight over the Golan Heights, which has created an ethnic war that continues to flow. It has been hard for peace treaties to be passed by both countries because the value of this area is a large benefit to the countries military forces and agricultural areas (Absolute, 1-3).

Ethnic war over the Golan Heights

Israel seized the Golan Heights from Syria after the closing stages of the 1967 Six-day war. Israel began settling in the Heights almost immediately after the war stopped. By 1970 there were twelve Jewish settlements on the Heights. During the Yom Kippur War in 1973, Syrian forces overran much of the southern side of the heights, before being pushed back by an Israel counter attack. Israel and Syria signed a ceasefire agreement in 1974 that left almost all of the Golan Heights in the hands of Israel, also leaving a very small-demilitarized strip for Syria (Absolute, 1-7). Many of the population that filled this area, fled as a result of the war. Israel asserts its right to control this area as a result of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 242, which calls for secure and recognized boundaries free from threats and acts of force. Syria continues to demand the area to be returned, because they feel as if it is entitled to them. "We do want to get the Golan back on a silver platter, Let's face it – it's our land and our right to have it back is the most normal thing in the world” (Barnes-Dacey, 1). Today the Golan Heights is under Israel Law, gives Israel administration and jurisdiction over the Golan Heights.

Agricultural Importance

Topographically, the Golan Heights ranges in elevation from 2,814m on Mount Hermon, to sea level on the Yarmuk River in the south. IN addition to the strategic importance of Golan Heights, this area also provides a massive amount of water resources. This is true, mainly to the higher elevated areas due to the fact that the mountains are mostly covered in snow for most of the year, which helps sustain the base flow for rivers and springs during the dry season. The Heights receives remarkably more precipitation than the surrounding areas of lower elevation, approximately 20 percent. The Israel occupied sector of the Golan Heights provides a significant amount from the Jordan River Watershed which in fact provides about thirty percent of Israel’s water supply. This is why it is a valuable area to own. Water is very scarce in this area of the world and it helps to always have more of it. The population of Syria is far greater then the population of Israel, this is one of the reasons why Syria wants the Golan Heights back, so that they can gain a greater amount of water (Dacey-Barnes, 1-3).

Conclusion:

To what extent has the Golan eights affected the Israeli and Palestinian society, and to what extent has it created conflict between the two countries?

To this day, these two countries continue to fight over this area of land due to the strategic importance of the area, the agricultural advantages it supplies. From the day that Israel captured the Heights after the 1967 six-day war, the Palestinian government has demanded it back, yet Israel continues to deny them the right of owning it. The Heights has created a large amount of conflict between the two countries because it has created tension between the two, and caused ethnic rivalry and terrorist attacks. A silent war continues to be fought over this land, and will continue unless a peace treaty is made between Israel and Palestine. Therefore, the Golan Heights has created an everlasting affect on both Israel and Palestine and the way that these countries societies treat each other from now on.

Annotated Bibliography:

Bard, Mitchell G. "The Golan Heights." jewish Virtual Library (2007): n. pag. Web. 5 Feb 2010. <http://israelipalestinian.procon.org/viewanswers.asp?questionID=000507>. This source from Procon.org has fantastic quotes and information that consists of the pro’s and con’s on the conflict of the Heights.

<http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/05/25/world/worldwatch/entry5038172.shtml>. This source had simple information on the opinions of Both Israel and Palestine, and what each country wanted with the Golan Heights.

"Current Events Golan Heights." Palestine Facts. PalestinianFacts, Web. 2 Feb 2010. <http://www.palestinefacts.org/pf_current_golan.php>. This source has good information on the opinions of what to do with the Golan Heights, from both Israel and Palestine. Along with present day information, this website also has information dealing with the Six day war.

"Golan Heights." Absolute Astronomy. Absolute Astronomy, Web. <http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Golan_Heights>. This source has fantastic information on every part of the Golan Heights, from certain areas of the Golan to general geographical features and information. This source is most likely my best source, because it has the most detailed and diverse amount of information dealing with the Heights.

Hiro, Dilip. The Essential Middle East: A Comprehensive Guide. 2003. Print.
This source has great detailed information on the Six-day war and how the Golan Heights is controlled today but it has limited information on the present day Golan Heights.

"Regions and territories: Golan Heights." BBC NEWS. BBC, Web. 5 Feb 2010. <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/country_profiles/3393813.stm>.
This source has great information on the overall conflict between Israel and Palestine, along with historical information that deals with the Six day war.

"What is the dispute over Golan Heights." Procon.org. 5/20/2008. Web. 5 Feb 2010. <http://israelipalestinian.procon.org/viewanswers.asp?questionID=000507>. This source from Procon.org has great information and quotes from high political leaders of Israel and Palestine dealing with what the want to do with the Golan Heights and how far they are willing to go for it. Including peace treaties and deals.

Golan Heights

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