The Israeli government has already agreed to implement a plan of increasing settlers in the Golan Heights. The region has been occupied since 1967 and, in fact, was captured through an illegal action. It came after the latest Israeli territorial gains from Syria in the aftermath of President Bashar al-Assad’s overthrow.
The government reportedly supported a “demographic development” initiative which calls for doubling the Israeli population of the area, according to an announcement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office. The program is to concentrate on the Golan Heights area, occupied since the Six-Day War. With the 1981 enforcement of Israeli law, this resulted in a de facto annexation of the region.
Importantly, it does not relate to the recently taken Syrian land, including Mount Hermon. This region was demilitarized as per a post-1973 war agreement. The plan is designed to supply more than 40 million shekels of money which is around $11 million to support settlers’ rising numbers.
Currently, some 31,000 Israeli settlers live in a large number of illegal settlements in different parts of the Golan, together with minority groups-the Druze, many of whom identify with Syria. Netanyahu stressed the importance of this move, insisting that “strengthening the Golan is strengthening the State of Israel, especially in these days. We will persist in holding onto it, make it bloom, and settle it.
Reporting from Amman, Al Jazeera’s Nour Odeh said that the timing of this approval seems strategic for Israel. The international community is largely in agreement that the Israeli occupation of the Golan Heights is illegal, but during his first term, former US President Donald Trump recognized the sovereignty of Israel over this area, which has left a lasting impact. With Trump set to take office again on January 20, speculation begins regarding what this might mean for the actions of Israel in the region.
Odeh observed, “Netanyahu is seizing this moment to announce further settlement activities aimed at solidifying the occupation, similar to his approach in the West Bank.”
During the recent discussion with Trump, Netanyahu spoke about the situation in Syria and efforts toward a ceasefire in Gaza, despite the continuous strikes by Israel on Syrian locations since the change in regime. “We have no interest in conflict with Syria,” said Netanyahu, adding that military action is meant to neutralize potential threats and prevent terrorist elements from gaining ground near the borders of Israel.
These and plans by Netanyahu to increase settlements have made different countries, including Saudi Arabia criticize Israeli leaders for undermining Syrian transitional efforts.
