The Golan Heights Conflict - Research Paper Example

The Golan Heights Conflict CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION 2. THE GOLAN HEIGHTS 3. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND 4. THE CONFLICT 5. CONCLUSION REFERENCE LIST 1. INTRODUCTION The Golan Heights conflict is a land dispute between Syria and Israel over a border region known as the Golan Heights. This conflict has been an ongoing affair for over 40 years and as yet a satisfactory resolution has not been concluded; even though, various peace agreements have been attempted. Today, a United Nations force known as the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force [UNDOF] occupies a demilitarized zone between Israel and Syria in the Golan Heights. This assignment will take a look at what the Golan Heights are and what the significance of this area is. A brief historical overview of who has occupied the Golan Heights will be given in order to further understand the history and value of this area. An analysis of the conflict between Syria and Israel over the Golan Heights will be given, as well as the various attempts at resolving the conflict. Finally, it will be determined how the issue stands today and what the future for this dispute may hold. 2. THE GOLAN HEIGHTS The Golan Heights is a plateau region of 1800 sq km on the border of Israel and Syria. Its highest point is Mount Hermon in the north which is 2800 metres high and it reaches below sea level in the south on the Sea of Galilee. Israel occupies 1200 sq km of the area; although, it is recognised as Syrian land. There are 41 Israeli settlements in the Israeli occupied zone and approximately 19100 Israelis living there. Over twenty thousand Syrians live in the area; mostly they are of the Druze sect. [cia world fact book, 2011] The Golan Heights is known for its rich farming land, as well as abundant water supplies which include the headwaters of the Jordan River, the Baniyas Springs and the Yarmuk River. The water from this area makes up 30% of Israel’s total fresh water supply. [Encyclopedia of the Modern Middle East and North Africa, 2004] It is easy to see why this area with its rich land and water supplies has become the focal point of the conflict between Syria and Israel. 3. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND The Golan Heights have been occupied by many civilisations and has been a conflicted area for many centuries. Between the third and second millennium B.C. the Amorites inhabited the region until the Arameans conquered the land. Biblical references indicate that the Golan Heights were then seized from the Amaraens by the Israelites and settled by the Manasseh tribe in 800 B.C. During the next centuries the Heights were conquered by first the Assyrians, then the Babylonian empire and then by the Persian Empire. Alexander the Great also took control over the heights before it finally fell into Roman hands. During the Roman era, the Heights were periodically given to the Syrian province then traded to Israel again. In 636 A.D. the Arabs took over the Golan Heights after the battle of Yarmouk and remained under Muslim rule for many centuries; although it did fall under various dynasties during this time. The Golan Heights was incorporated into the Ottoman Empire between 1516 until the end of World War I, after which it passed to France’s rule on a mandate of the League of Nations. Syria received its independence in 1944 and the Golan Heights were officially a part of the country. [Golan Sights, 2009] From this turbulent history it can be seen how important the Heights were deemed to be over the years. Thus, it is not surprising that conflict over the region still rages. 4. THE CONFLICT Conflict over the Golan Heights began almost immediately after the withdrawal of the European mandatory forces. War broke out between Syria and Israel between 1948 and 1949. At the end of the war, the two sides agreed to partly demilitarize the Golan Heights within accordance of the Syria-Israel Armistice Agreement. However, both sides violated the agreement; with Israel attempting to use water from the Jordan River in the demilitarized zone and both countries sending raids into each others’ areas, killing many civilians. In 1967 Syria heavily shelled Israeli villages from the Heights, causing Israel to shoot down 6 of Syria’s MIJ fighter planes. [Golan Sights, 2009] These incidents all aided in sparking the 6 day war [June 5-10 1967]. At the end of the war Israel had captured the Golan Heights and was stationed only 35 km away from Syria’s capital, Damascus. Israel’s capture of the Golan Heights was extremely important military wise; for, Israel had a clear view of Syrian activities, it now had a buffer zone between Syria and itself, and it could also prevent any surprise attacks from Syria. In 1968 Syria and Israel signed a disengagement agreement in which Israel returned 100 sqkm of the Golan to Syria. [Encyclopedia of the modern Middle East and North Africa, 2004] During the Middle East war of 1973, Syria attempted to retake the Golan Heights; however, Israel repelled the attack. The two countries signed an armistice agreement the following year, causing UNDOF to create the demilitarized zone between the two countries which is 75 km long and between 10 km and 200 m wide. This force ensures the cease fire and disengagement agreements between the two countries, as well as clearing mines from the area and aiding any passage through the demilitarized zone from one country to the other. The UN Security Council renews the UNDOF mandate over the Golan Heights every six months. [United Nations, 2011] In December 1981, Israel began annexing the Golan Heights by extending Israeli law, jurisdiction and administration over the area. This action was condemned internationally and a resolution was passed by the United Nations Security Council proclaiming that Israel’s rule was null and void. However, Israel continues to hold sway over the goings on in the area. [Encyclopedia of the Modern Middle East and North Africa, 2004] In the Early 90’s Syria and Israel embarked on peace talks. Progress was being made and a satisfactory deal was nearly reached which included Israeli withdrawal from the Heights and a water sharing project, but negotiations were halted when the Israeli Prime Minister, Rabin, was assassinated. Peace talks which were brokered by the United States resumed in 1999 between the Israeli premier and the Syrian minister of Foreign affairs. The talks centred on an Israeli withdrawal from the Golan Heights in exchange for a constructive peace deal between the two countries. However, the talks broke down in 2000; due, to disagreement over the Sea of Galilee. Syria insisted that Israel withdraw to pre-1967 borders, which will give Syria access to the Sea of Galilee, but Israel was unwilling to do so. Key events in the following years prevented negotiations from taking place. These events included: The death of Syrian president al-Assad and the transfer of power to his son; the September 9-11 attacks and the US war on terrorism; Syria’s alleged involvement in the death of the Lebanese president in 2005. Israel insisted that Syria cut any ties to Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah before talks could resume; however, Syria informed Israel that it could act as a mediator for peace between Israel and these groups. [Welmoed Korteweg, 2010] Indirect talks between the two countries under the mediation of Turkey commenced in 2008, but were once again suspended when Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud, resigned due to a corruption enquiry. The new Israeli government claims that it will take a tougher line on negotiations over the Golan Heights and the Syrian government declared in June 2009 that there was no partner for talks on the Israeli side. [BBC, 2010] On December 31 2010, the UN Security Council announced the extension of the UNDOF mandate for another six months, clearly indicating that it does not foresee a resolution to the conflict in the near future. The conflict over the Golan Heights remains a deadlock situation with both sides refusing to budge on their demands which would allow peace talks to recommence. [United Nations, 2011] 5 CONCLUSION Due, to the strategic advantage and fertility of the Golan Heights it is easy to see why this area has been inhabited and and been seized by so many different nations in the past. The modern conflict over the Golan Heights does not seem to have an end in sight. It is encouraging that Syria and Israel have been able to conduct talks in the past in a nonviolent manner and that there have been no major incidents in the Heights since 1974. Although, the situation in the Heights themselves is stable due to the Presence of UNDOf, Syria and Israel are no nearer sealing a deal which would satisfy both parties. As long as the Golan Heights remain to be an issue between these two countries, there is no real hope that Israel will be able to secure a lasting peace with Syria and its other Arab neighbours. Thus, the turmoil that engulfs this part of the Middle East is destined to continue indeterminably. REFERENCE LIST Golan History. [2009]. Golan Sights. Retrieved on May 19, 2011 from http//www.golansights.com/history.html Muslih, Muhammad. [2004]. Golan Heights facts, information, pictures. Encyclopedia of the modern Middle East and North Africa. Retrieved on May 23, 2011 from http//www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Golan_Heights_.aspx Korteweg Welmoed. [September 18, 2010] The Golan Heights: an ongoing conflict. Zeytun. Retrieved on May 24, 2011 from http//www.zeytun.org/?q=node/642 Regions and Territories: The Golan Heights. [2010]. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved on May 24, 2011 from http//www.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east_/country…/3393813.stm Syria. [2011]. Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved on May 21, 2011 from http//www.cia.gov/library/…/the-world-factbook/sy.html United Nations Disengagement Observer Force. [2011]. United Nations. Retrieved on May 21, 2011 from http//www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/undof/ Read More