The Israeli government has approved a plan to double the number of its settlers in the Golan Heights, DW reports.
According to the office of Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, the authorities intend to invest about 1 billion shekels (just under € 280 million) in new housing, jobs and infrastructure development in the region.
Speaking at a meeting on this issue, Bennett stressed that “it goes without saying that the Golan Heights belong to Israel.” He also recalled that ex-President Donald Trump recognized Israel’s sovereignty over this territory, and the Joe Biden administration did not change this decision.
Currently, the Golan Heights is inhabited by about 20 thousand ethnic Arabs loyal to Syria – Druze, who belong to a religious minority professing one of the directions of Islam. In addition to them, there is a small group of Alawites professing Islam in the region, and about 25 thousand Israeli settlers.
In March 2019, Donald Trump announced the recognition by the US authorities of the status of the Golan Heights as belonging to Israel. At the same time, the UN and the EU consider Israel’s actions in the region “occupation”.
Source: Rosbalt
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