Golan Heights

The Golan Heights: A Historical and Geographical Enigma

Imagine a land steeped in history, where ancient civilizations clashed and modern conflicts simmer beneath the surface. The Golan Heights is such a place—a basaltic plateau at the southwest corner of Syria, bordered by the Yarmouk River to the south, the Sea of Galilee and Hula Valley to the west, and Mount Hermon to the north. It’s a region that has seen it all, from the Upper Paleolithic period to the modern-day disputes over its sovereignty.

The Ancient History

How did this land become such a focal point of contention? The Golan Heights has been inhabited since the Upper Paleolithic era, with settlements rising in the southern part from the 2nd millennium BCE. Fast forward to the 10th century BC, and you find the kingdom of Geshur mentioned in the Hebrew Bible during David’s reign. Aram-Damascus absorbed it into its territory by the mid-9th century BC, and then came the Assyrians, who incorporated it into their province of Qarnayim.

The Roman and Byzantine Periods

During the 5th century BC, Jewish exiles were allowed to resettle in the area. By the time Alexander the Great conquered the region in 332 BC, it was already a melting pot of cultures, with the Golan coming under Seleucid control for two centuries. The Itureans moved into the area in the middle of the 2nd century BC, and by 83–81 BC, Alexander Jannaeus had annexed the Golan to the Hasmonean kingdom of Judaea.

The Roman Era

After Herod the Great’s death in 4 BC, the Golan fell under the Tetrarchy of Herod Philip I. When he died, the Romans absorbed it into Syria but returned it to Agrippa I in 37 AD. The territory was traded between Agrippa II and Claudius before becoming part of the Jewish revolt from 66-70 AD. The Romans eventually captured Gamla, with most inhabitants choosing mass suicide over capture.

The Modern Disputes

Fast forward to the 1967 Six-Day War, when Israel occupied the Golan Heights and effectively annexed it in 1981. However, this is not recognized by the international community. After the war, control of the Syrian-administered part was split between state government and opposition forces, with the Syrian Army regaining full control in 2018.

Settlements and Expulsions

In December 2024, Israel occupied the rest of the Golan Heights as a ‘temporary defensive position’ and has since begun to force residents out and expand Israeli settlements. The Arabic name is Jawlān, sometimes romanized as Djolan. Arab cartographers referred to the area as jabal (mountain), though it’s a plateau.

Geography and Resources

The Golan Heights is geologically distinct, with volcanic basalt fields and a karst-like topography. The plateau is characterized by lighter-colored limestone of sedimentary origin. It receives significantly more precipitation than surrounding areas, supplying 15% of Israel’s water. The area has 32 settlements, including moshavim and kibbutzim.

Future Prospects

The future of the Golan Heights remains uncertain. Israeli settlement activity began in the 1970s, with the settler population expanding from 10,000 to 22,000 between 2009-2019. In December 2024, Prime Minister Netanyahu announced an updated plan to expand settlements on the Golan Heights.

The Golan Heights is a land of contrasts—ancient history and modern conflict, natural beauty and political tension. Its future remains a subject of intense debate, with no clear resolution in sight. The international community considers it Syrian territory held under Israeli occupation, while Israel claims sovereignty over the region.

The Golan Heights stands as a testament to the enduring human spirit and the complex interplay of history, politics, and geography. Its fate will continue to shape regional dynamics for years to come.