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Israeli Military Organizes Civilian Tours in Golan Heights During Passover
GOLAN HEIGHTS – The Israeli military is conducting guided hikes for civilians in the Golan Heights, a region bordering Syria, during the Passover holiday. These excursions into the contested area, recently under increased Israeli control, are attracting significant public interest and aim to boost regional tourism.
Tours to Occupied Syrian Territory Sell Out Quickly
These twice-daily tours in the disputed Golan Heights are scheduled for a week, starting this Sunday. Tickets for the excursions rapidly sold out, indicating high public demand to visit this strategically important and historically significant zone.
Under the protection of military personnel in armored buses, small groups will venture up to 2.5 kilometers into Syrian territory. This area was previously restricted until the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) gained control of the Golan buffer zone following recent instability in Syria. Israel has maintained control over the Golan Heights since 1967 and has expanded its holdings in recent times by acquiring additional Syrian land.
Key Sites on the Golan Heights Tour
The planned itinerary includes notable locations such as:
- The Syrian side of Mount Hermon, offering panoramic views of Damascus.
- Shebaa Farms, situated at the base of Mount Hermon in Lebanese territory. This area, considered by some to be where God made a covenant with Abraham, has been a frequent site of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
- The Ruqqad river valley, which flows into the Yarmouk River on the Jordanian border, providing opportunities for hiking and swimming.
- Sections of the abandoned Ottoman Hejaz railway, a historical transportation route that once linked Istanbul to Haifa, Nablus, and important religious cities in modern-day Saudi Arabia.
IDF and Regional Bodies Collaborate on Tourist Initiative
These tours are a joint effort by several organizations, including the IDF’s 210th Division, the Golan Regional Council, the Keshet Yehonatan religious education center, the Golan Field School (focused on environmental studies), and the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, as reported by Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper.
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“Returning to a Safer North” Initiative
The excursions are part of a broader campaign titled “Returning to a Safer North.” This initiative seeks to revitalize the region after the recent Israel-Hezbollah conflict, which was triggered by the wider regional tensions stemming from the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023 and the subsequent Gaza conflict.
Military Statement on Tourism and Heritage
According to the Israeli military, these tours serve a dual purpose: “It’s important for us to restore heritage and tourism to the region and to tell the story of the battles fought during the war.”
Security Considerations and Territorial Claims
Participants are informed that they join the tours at their own risk, and there is a possibility of cancellation with minimal notice due to unforeseen security concerns. In response to inquiries from the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, the IDF clarified that the tour locations are considered to be “inside Israel,” despite being situated in the Golan Heights demilitarized buffer zone, which is internationally recognized as Syrian territory.
Background of Military Operations in the Golan Heights
Following recent political shifts in Syria, the IDF initiated a significant aerial bombardment campaign targeting Syrian regime weapons depots. Concurrently, ground forces advanced, actions that have been reported as contravening the 1974 disengagement agreement.
Political Implications and Future Tours
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asserted that forces associated with Syria’s newly established transitional government must remain outside the border region. He has also indicated that the IDF will maintain its presence until a suitable long-term arrangement is established.
Due to the high level of interest, organizers have expressed hope that security conditions will permit the scheduling of additional tours into Syria following the Passover holiday period.