Israel Unanimously Approves $11 Million Plan to Double Golan Heights Settlements

Dec 15, 2024, 02:41 PM

Israel's government has unanimously approved a plan to expand settlements in the occupied Golan Heights, aiming to double the Israeli population in the region. The plan includes strengthening existing settlements, developing the city of Katzrin, and investing over 40 million shekels ($11 million) to encourage demographic growth. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated, "Strengthening the Golan means strengthening Israel, and this is crucial during this period. We will continue to hold onto it, develop it, and settle it." The decision is linked to security concerns, citing "the war and the new front facing Syria." The Golan Heights, captured from Syria in 1967 and annexed by Israel in 1981, is internationally recognized as occupied territory and currently houses over 25,000 Israelis in more than 30 settlements.