Israel to double settlers in Golan Heights

Al Jazeera ^ | Wednesday 31 December 2003

[presidio9]

Israel intends to double the number of Jewish settlers in the Golan Heights over the next three years to tighten its grip over the plateau, seized from Syria in a 1967 war.

Agriculture Minister Yisrael Katz told Israel Radio on Wednesday that the right-wing cabinet had agreed to double the current settler population of 17,000 to solidify its hold over the Golan before opening any peace negotiations with Syria.

Syria on Wednesday denounced the Israeli plan which stipulates the construction of 900 new homes on the strategic plateau.

Isa Daweesh, Syria's deputy foreign minister, told reporters in Damascus: "There is no recognition for this measure. Israel is deluded that it can achieve something by relying on power and occupation."

Asked if Israel's move was a step to preempt any future peace negotiations between the two countries, he said: "Conflicts are not resolved through power, they should be resolved under international law."

French reaction

Responding to the Israeli announcement, France urged the Jewish state to immediately abandon its plans.

"The approval by an Israeli interministerial commission of the extension of Jewish settlements in the Golan Heights can only complicate" the resumption of talks between Israel and Syria, said foreign ministry spokesman Herve Ladsous on Wednesday.

"France thus immediately calls on Israel not to implement these plans and not to take any other decisions that could compromise the peace process," Ladsous told reporters.

The Palestinian factor

Syrian President Bashar al-Asad, like his late long-ruling father Hafiz al-Asad, has demanded a total Israeli withdrawal from the Golan in exchange for peace and has urged Washington to help revive talks with Israel that collapsed in early 2000.

"The government decision is a response to the initiative of Syria, which said it is interested in peace while openly supporting Palestinian terror," Katz told Israel's largest daily Yedioth Ahronoth.

Senior Israeli Labour MP Haim Ramon charged that "the only goal of the (settlement) plan was to torpedo any chance of new negotiations with Syria."

Katz himself admitted to the radio: "One of my goals is also to make sure Asad wakes up every morning to watch a thriving Israeli Golan from his presidential palace."

Syria denies the Israeli charge, saying Palestinian armed groups with a presence in Damascus have information offices only.

The Heights

Israel conquered the Golan Heights in the 1967 Middle East war and annexed it in 1981, a move condemned internationally.

Israel and Syria have no diplomatic relations and remain in a technical state of war. However, the Golan Heights has been relatively violence free in the past decades, in contrast with the frequents attacks and retaliation from both sides in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

The Golan is a grassy plateau with important wells and springs as well as being of strategic value, as it overlooks northeastern Israel including the Sea of Galilee, a major tourist draw.

Right-wing ministers in Israel's cabinet fiercely oppose any negotiations over the territory. Katz, the plan's initiator and head of the cabinet's settlement committee, told Israel Radio: "It is good for everyone to know that Israel has no intention to loosen its hold on the Golan, but exactly the opposite."

[Diogenesis]

Responding to the Israeli announcement, France urged the Jewish state to immediately abandon its plans.

France allows Jews to be assaulted and murdered in France, synagogues to be routnely torched in France,
and this month made the wearing of the Jewish skullcap illegal at French schools.

Any guess what the French want for a "final solution"?

With French weapons used agains the Coalition, and the role of Arafat and Saddam,
many Americans want to know : When will France be added to the axis of Evil?

========= IRAQI WEAPONS from France USED Against US and Coalition Heroes ========

French missiles were found by the Poles, and to protect France, blown up.

The pompous froggies said they did not say "2003". Decide for yourself.

[Astronaut]

Who is that babe?

[Slings and Arrows]

Ping!

I've visited the Golan Heights - it's a beautiful region, and it's absolutely imperative that it stay in Israeli hands. If I could find an appropriate job over there I'd be tempted to move in to one of those homes.

[af_vet_1981]

French reaction Responding to the Israeli announcement, France urged the Jewish state to immediately abandon its plans.

"The approval by an Israeli interministerial commission of the extension of Jewish settlements in the Golan Heights can only complicate" the resumption of talks between Israel and Syria, said foreign ministry spokesman Herve Ladsous on Wednesday.

"France thus immediately calls on Israel not to implement these plans and not to take any other decisions that could compromise restart the peace process," Ladsous told reporters.

Reminds me of a poster

France, you shut up.
We'll save civilization.

[presidio9]

Reminds me of a poster

France, you shut up.
We'll save civilization.

Hmmmm. I've seen that before myself...

[anotherview]

Syrian President Bashar al-Asad, like his late long-ruling father Hafiz al-Asad, has demanded a total Israeli withdrawal from the Golan in exchange for peace and has urged Washington to help revive talks with Israel that collapsed in early 2000.

Typical al-Jazeera distortion. Prime Minister Barak offered to withdraw to the internationally recognized border between Israel and Syria in exchange for peace. Asad refused, instead demanding that Israel withdraw to the eastern bank of the Kineret (Sea of Galilee). Syria took the eastern bank by force in 1951 and occupied it. Asad called the internationally recognized border a "colonial imposition".

The Kineret is Israel's main source of fresh water. Asad refused to even discuss water rights or security arrangements until after an Israeli withdrawal.

Oh, and yes, Israel's annexation of Golan was "condemned internationally". So is Israel's continued existance on an almost daily basis.

Why in the world did you choose al-Jazeera as your source for this story?

[mercy]

The frogs can't take the vintners competition. If you can get your hands on some try the Yarden Merlot from there. Fantastic.

[presidio9]

Why in the world did you choose al-Jazeera as your source for this story?

Because a lot of FReepers enjoy poking holes in biased "journalism," and I like to hear what they have to say.

[anotherview]

OK, fair enough.

[Salem]

Hey, lookee here! An Israeli politician with some fight left in him!  




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[Alouette]

Syrian President Bashar al-Asad, like his late long-ruling father Hafiz al-Asad, has demanded a total Israeli withdrawal from the Golan in exchange for absolutely nothing

[American in Israel]

Syria will never give peace, when they had that land they used it to shell Israel. Why would they be peaceful this time?

They lost that land in one of their numerous invasions anyway. And besides being purchased by Jews in a lot of cases, (though they were thrown out and their land taken, the deeds are still valid), it is now purchased in Jewish blood. When Syria can pay back the lives they took, then they can demand land back.

Syria will be peaceful when the present regime is defeated and not a minute before.