Golan Heights

Why in news?

• Israel approves plan to double settlers in occupied Golan Heights.

About Golan Heights:

• The Golan Heights is a rocky plateau on the border between Israel and Syria in south-western Syria.
• Geographically, the Golan is bounded by the Jordan River and the Sea of Galilee on the west, Mount Hermon on the north, the seasonal Wadi Al-Ruqqad river on the east, and the Yarmuk River on the south.
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History:

• After World War I the Golan became part of the French mandate of Syria and in 1941 passed to independent Syria.
• After the Arab-Israeli War of 1948–49, Syria fortified the western crest of the Golan Heights, which commands the ?ula Valley, the Sea of Galilee, and the upper Jordan River valley, all in Israel.
• Israel occupied the Golan Heights, West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip in the 1967 Six-Day War.
• An armistice line was established and the region came under Israeli military control.
• Syria tried to retake the Golan Heights during the 1973 Middle East war. Syria was defeated in its attempt.
• Both countries signed an armistice in 1974 and a UN observer force has been in place on the ceasefire line since 1974.
• Israel unilaterally annexed the Golan Heights in 1981. The move was not recognised internationally, although the US Trump Administration did so unilaterally in March 2019.
• The international community regards as disputed territory occupied by Israel whose status should be determined by negotiations between Israel and Syria.

Importance of Golan Heights:

• The Golan Heights give Israel an excellent point for monitoring Syrian movements. The topography provides a natural buffer against any military adventure from Syria.
• 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.
• The land is fertile, and the volcanic soil is used to cultivate vineyards and orchards and raise cattle.

PRELIMS QUESTION

Consider the following pairs:

Places in news        : Country

1. Golan heights         : Afghanistan

2. Amami islands       : Japan

3. Kuril islands           : Sri Lanka

Which of the pairs given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 2 only

(d) 1 and 3 only

Answer