Golan Heights

Rocky Plateau to the South of the Golan and the West, Syria, is a political and strategic importance, which belies its size.

Israel seized in the Golan to Syria to close the six-day war in 1967. Most of the Syrian Arab Republic, of the inhabitants fled during the conflict in the region.

The line was established on the basis of a truce, and came under the supervision of the Israeli military region. Israel began almost immediately to resolve the Golan.

Syria tried to test on the Golan Heights in the 1973 Middle East war. Despite the heavy losses meant that the Israeli troops, the surprise attack was thwarted. Both countries signed a truce in 1974 and the UN observer force has been in use for a ceasefire line since 1974.

Facts on the Golan Heights

Name: Golan Heights status: in the Israeli occupied. Syria captured in 1967 Middle East war and annexed in 1981, a move condemned internationally. Lebanon claims the Shab'a farms area.Estimated population: 20 000 Israeli settlers 20,000 Syrian

Israel unilaterally annexed Golan Heights in 1981. The move has been recognised internationally.

More than 30 Jewish settlements, the heights, it is possible that the estimated 20,000 settlers. In the area, most of them members of the Druze sect is around 20 000 Syrian.

The strategic importance of

The southern capital of Damascus, Syria, and about 60 km (40 miles) to the North, are clearly visible on the height from the top, even if the Syrian artillery shelled Northern Israel regularly, the 1948, 1967, when the height of the control of Syria.

Height to give Israel an excellent vantage point of the Syrian movements. The natural topography provides a buffer against the military thrust on Syria.

The water in the arid area is also a key area of the data source. Rainwater catchment keen on Golan to make cultural heritage in Istanbul. The third area provides the water supply in Israel.

The land is fertile, cultivated vineyards and fruit orchards and raising cattle volcanic outbreaks with the soil. Golan is also the home of Israel's only ski resort.

Kompastuksia

Syria wants the return of the Golan Heights to protect any part of the peace agreement. At the end of 2003, the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said he was ready to revive peace negotiations with Israel.

In Israel, in return for peace, the principle has already been established. The US brokered peace negotiations during the 1999-2000, then Prime Minister of Israel Ehud Barak had offered the highest returns to the Golan to Syria.

But the main point in the 1999 discussions sticking is also likely to bedevil in future discussions. Syria wants a full Israeli withdrawal in the pre-1967 border. This would give Damascus control of Galilee, Israel's main source of fresh water in the Eastern Shore.

Israel wants to retain control of the Galilee and the border is located, says a few hundred metres of the beach to the East.

Work with the Syrians in the territory of the Jewish settlements also would be required. The Israeli newspaper estimated in 1999 that the settlers compensation is carried out at 10 billion dollars.

Public opinion in Israel would not favour the withdrawal. Opponents say are too strategic height will be returned. In January 2004, the poll suggested that a majority of Israelis opposed the plans to hand back the Golan to Syria.

Use keskeydyttyä

Indirect negotiations between Israel and Syria resumed in 2008, the Turkish Government through intermediaries, but the resignation of the Prime Minister of Israel suspended the Ehud Olmert corruption during the course of the investigation.

The new Israeli Government was elected in February 2009, according to Benjamin Netanyahu declared that it was taken over by the kiristyvään line in the Golan to Syria in June 2009, the Director said, there was no partner for negotiations on the Israeli side.

President Barack Obama, who took office in January 2009-new farming is, however, reported that the negotiations between Israel and Syria, one of the main objectives of its foreign policy.