Central to the peace talks with the Syrians is the future of the Golan Heights. Syrian leader Dr Bashara demands it, but Israel is reluctant to give up this important strategic asset. During your visit to Israel with Oranim and birthright you will stand on the Golan Heights and see with your own eyes the problem facing the peacemakers.

Although the Golan Heights is only 45 miles long and less than 16 miles wide, covering an area of 700 square miles it is its height , ranging from 2000 - 3000 feet above sea level, that creates a crucial strategic advantage to who ever controls it.



The Golan Heights is not only high it also influences that other important asset in this Region, namely water. A third of Israel's water comes from the Kinneret. Two of the three water sources of the Kinneret originate from the Golan. Who controls the Golan controls the headwaters of the Jordan river and Israel's water supply. Indeed the period between 1948-67, Syrian artillery shelled Israel's Galilee panhandle from the Golan and in 1964, Syria attempted to cut off Israel's water sources by diverting the headwaters of the Jordan River.

Historically the Golan was the biblical home of the tribe of Menashe and was an integral part of the history of ancient Israel. Moreover, Jews have lived in the Golan at various times up to the 1920's. Jews started returning to the Golan after Israel took control of it in 1967

Today, 12,000 Jewish residents live in the Golan on 32 settlements, with one city, Katzrin. There are 12,000 Druze residents, living in four villages and 900 Alawites.

Israelis are split over the future of the Golan. Prime Minister Ehud Barak has offered a referendum on any future peace deal with the Syrians. It is unclear what the outcome of such a referendum would be.


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