Tag Archives: Golan Heights

April 8, 2019 · 11:17 pm

RECOGNITION OF THE GOLAN HEIGHTS

BLOG 427 April 8, 2019

WISE ON THE MIDDLE EAST ~ Each week Robert L. Wise, PhD explores the Middle Eastern situation, ranging from Egypt through Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Israel and the surrounding area. Wise first traveled to Israel and the neighboring countries in 1968. Two of his sons taught in Jordan and Lebanon universities. Wise presents an objective view of the behind the scenes situation in these countries.

What about President Trump’s recent announced recognition of the Golan Heights belonging to Israel? Under international law Israel’s seizure and holding of the land is considered illegal. The Geneva Conventions consider settlements in such an area to be unlawful. So, what’s going on? Politics.

Israel’s election is tomorrow and Prime Minister Netanyahu needed an extra push at the polls. Trump gave him a significant push. This viewpoint is held by the Jewish residents of the Golan Heights. The March 31 edition of the Los Angles Times calls their perspective on the recognition “tepid.” The inhabitants of the Golan fear Trump’s public recognition will upset the apple-cart in what has been an extended period of peace in their history. Even though Syria and Israel have been mutually hostile, the Golan community has been left alone. They worry that while Netanyahu got a boost, they could end up getting the boot.

However, that’s only one part of the story.

Israelis firmly reject any hint of giving this area back because of their need for security. In the beginning, Syrians sat on these heights and shot farmers until Israel cleaned them out.

Give it back? They point to America acquiring California, New Mexico, and Texas. Would America give this land back to Mexico? Americans ready to give back land to the Indians? Absolutely not!

This past history reminds us that Israel is often squeezed to maintain a double standard in which the rest of the world wouldn’t participate.

The analogy makes the point.

A recent International Jerusalem Post editorial reminds us that Israel tried to negotiate some form of settlement over this area with Syria, but those attempts went nowhere. Since then Syria has slid into chaos and President Assad is an international pariah. No future there.

What did America lose through President Trump’s proclamation? Significantly, other Arab states will be more reluctant to negotiate with America. Moreover, the announcement is a gift to Assad, giving him a rallying point to gain more support for his beleaguered nation.  This result is part of the reason that Israeli residents are hesitant to be enthused about the move.

Nevertheless, the recognition is applauded by most Israelis.

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March 26, 2019 · 2:07 am

RECENT TURN OF EVENTS

BLOG 426 March 24, 2019

WISE ON THE MIDDLE EAST Each week Robert L. Wise, PhD, explores the Middle Eastern situation, ranging from Egypt through Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Israel and the surrounding area. Wise first traveled to Israel and the neighboring countries in 1968. Two of his sons taught in Jordan and Lebanon universities. Wise presents an objective view of the behind the scenes situation in these countries.

Perhaps, you were as surprised as the rest of the world by the sudden announcement from President Donald Trump recognizing Israel’s possession of the Golan Heights as now a legitimate part of Israel. The Golan Heights is a basaltic plateau bordered by the Yarmouk River in the south, the Sea of Galilee and Hula Valley in the west, the Anti-Lebanon with Mount Hermon in the north and Wadi Raqqad in the east. The Golan Heights was captured from Syria and occupied by Israel during the Six-Day War. This stretch of territory was effectively annexed to Israel in 1981. This region includes the western two-thirds of the geological Golan Heights, as well as the Israeli-occupied part of Mount Hermon.

Construction of Israeli settlements began in the territory held by Israel, which was under military administration until Israel passed the Golan Heights Law extending Israeli law and administration throughout the territory in 1981. This move was condemned by the United Nations Security Council in UNSC Resolution 497, which stated that “the Israeli decision to impose its laws, jurisdiction, and administration in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights is null and void and without international legal effect”, and UNSC Resolution 242, which emphasizes “inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by war”.

Israel maintains it has a right to retain the Golan, also citing the text of UN Resolution 242, which calls for “safe and recognized boundaries free from threats or acts of force”.

So, what’s going on here?

Regardless of UN resolutions or anything else, Israel will never give this territory back. Several times, I rode a Jeep up from the Galilee up the steep slopes to the top of the Heights. One look will tell you why Israel will keep this land. For years Syrian and Jordanian troops sat up there on the top and shot Israeli farmers working down their in the valley around the Galilee. The entire Galilee area is vulnerable to canons and whatever weapons can fire from the Golan Heights. No country could allow this threat and jeopardy to exist.

If you’re a supporter of Israel, you applaud this move. If you’re not, you are appalled. But why should the United States alone suddenly announce an acceptance of this situation when no other country in the world will recognize the same? Why at this moment?

Speculation is simple. Trump likes Netanyahu and the Prime Minister needs a boast in the Polls before the April 9 elections. President Trump’s action can only help the Prime Minister.

Politics as usual.

Sorry, I’ll be out of the country next week. My following report will be in April.

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