Golan Heights : India vote In UN General Assembly
India has voted in favour of a draft resolution in the UN General Assembly that expressed deep concern over Israel not withdrawing from the Golan Heights.
- Golan Heights is a rocky plateau in south-western Syria, about 60km (40 miles) south-west of the Capital, Damascus.
- It is bounded by the Jordan River and the Sea of Galilee on the west, Mount Hermon on the north, the seasonal Wadi Al-Ruqqād River on the east, and the Yarmūk River on the south.
- The Golan extends about 44 miles (71 km) from north to south and about 27 miles (43 km) from east to west at its widest point.
- It is roughly boat-shaped and has an area of 1,150 square kilometres.
- Israel seized the Golan Heights from Syria in the closing stages of the 1967 Six-Day War.
- Most of the Syrian Arab inhabitants fled the area during the conflict.
- An armistice line was established, and the region came under Israeli military control. Almost immediately, Israel began to settle the Golan.
- Syria tried to retake the Golan Heights during the 1973 Middle East Despite inflicting heavy losses on Israeli forces, the surprise assault was thwarted.
- Both countries signed an armistice in 1974, and a UN observer force has been in place on the ceasefire line since 1974.
- Israel unilaterally annexed the Golan Heights in 1981.
- There are more than 30 Israeli settlements in the Golan. The settlements are considered illegal under international law, although Israel disputes this.
- About 20,000 Syrians and 20,000 Israelis live in the Golan.
