The Israeli government has adopted an ambitious plan to double the population in the occupied Golan Heights, citing the need to strengthen security amid geopolitical changes in the region following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria. The decision was announced by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said that the development of the Golan is the key to strengthening the state of Israel, Reuters reports.
Investments and plans
The plan calls for an investment of more than NIS 40 million (USD 11 million) to stimulate demographic growth in the area. The goal is to double the population in the Golan Heights, which has been under Israeli control since the 1967 Six-Day War. In 1981, Israel officially annexed the territory, but most countries still do not recognise this move.
Currently, the Golan is home to about 31,000 Israelis and 24,000 residents, most of whom identify themselves as Syrians.
The world’s reaction
Israel’s decision drew sharp criticism from Arab states, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. The UAE, which had previously normalised relations with Israel in 2020, called the move a “deliberate attempt to expand the occupation”.
Prime Minister Netanyahu noted that Israel does not want a conflict with Syria, but is forced to respond to potential threats, including the presence of terrorist groups near the border.
Strike on Syria and the opposition’s reaction
Since the beginning of the civil war in Syria, Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes on the territory of the country, in particular on facilities belonging to the Syrian navy and pro-Iranian groups. The leader of the Islamist organisation Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), Abu Mohammed al-Julani, strongly condemned Israeli actions, calling them provocative.
Strategic importance of the Golan
The Golan Heights are an important strategic object for both Israel and regional powers. Control over these territories allows Israel to monitor potential threats from Syria and Iran, and provides access to water resources. The fall of the Assad regime and the offensive of opposition forces have created new security challenges in the region, which was one of the reasons for the adoption of the plan to demographically strengthen the Golan Heights.
Outlook.
Experts point out that further implementation of this plan could lead to a new aggravation between Israel and neighbouring countries, in particular Syria, which insists on returning the territories. At the same time, Israel continues to build up its military presence and strengthen its positions in the region.
