What are Feeds?
Israel’s Source of Living Water
February 02, 2007
Fresh water is the key to any nation’s survival. Israel is no different. Without the Golan Heights Israel would cease to exist. Conservative estimates state that 30% of Israel’s fresh water originates in the Golan Heights region.
The Golan Heights is the majestic mountain plateau surrounding the North-Eastern half of the Sea of Galilee. The southern height of the plateau is 600 feet above sea level and continually rises until it reaches 8,500 feet at the northern peak of Mt. Hermon. It covers approximately 600 square miles and is 45 miles long at its farthest points and 15 miles wide. It commands a regal view of all four countries that touches its borders; Israel to the West, Syria to the East, Lebanon to the North, and Jordan to the South.
The Middle East is generally a dry, arid region of the world. Israel’s rainfall varies significantly between the northern section including the Golan Heights and the southern section which is largely the Negev Desert. Yearly rainfall averages for the Golan Heights are currently 406 in/year, but the averages are only 36 in/year in the southern parts of Israel. During the three brief winter months Israel enjoys rain, the Golan Heights collects significant reservoirs of rainwater that are critical to maintaining the current level of the Sea of Galilee. The Sea of Galilee is Israel’s largest fresh water lake and supplies the entire nation with the vast majority of its irrigation and drinking water. Israel could not meet current national fresh water demands without the Golan Heights.
Uzi Rubin, missiles and strategic affairs expert, commented on a recent tour of the Golan Heights that although the Golan does hold a military strategic advantage for its owner, the key to understanding the Golan Heights is WATER. Many of Israel’s surrounding neighbors possess weapons that could easily reach Israel’s most populated areas. Ownership of the Golan Heights would not change that. The Golan Heights could enhance Syria’s strategic position but would not greatly change her current military capabilities. But according to Mr. Rubin, water is more precious than any weapon or missile location, “Water is more precious than oil.” If you control almost half of a nation’s fresh water supply with access to their only fresh water reservoir, you control that nation.
Several residents of the Golan Heights shared their greatest fear that if Israel conceded the Golan Heights to Syria, Syria would in turn contaminate Israel’s water supply and the Sea of Galilee. Israel would cease to exist without their enemies firing a single shot or missile. Many of the land owners at the base of the Golan Heights indicated that they have survived missile attacks, sniper fire, artillery fire, and air attacks by the Syrian army, but they could not survive if the water from the Golan Heights was diverted or contaminated. In 1964 Syria began constructing a diversionary canal on the Golan Heights with the stated goal of “drying up Israel.” Their efforts were cut short in 1967 during the Six Day War.
Syria has consistently rejected any offer from the Israeli government concerning the Golan Heights that does not include access to the Sea of Galilee. The Syrian leadership wants partial rights to Israel’s largest fresh water reservoir, the Sea of Galilee, and complete ownership of 30% of Israel’s fresh water supply, the Golan Heights. Anything less is unacceptable. Claiming former ownership before the six day war of 1967, Syria contends that they once owned access rights to the Sea of Galilee. But, according to the agreement between the French and British governments in 1917, Syria was never in possession of any access to the Sea of Galilee. The British Mandate retained control of a strip of land 30 feet wide around the entire banks of the Sea of Galilee. Syria cannot claim any former rights to the Seal of Galilee.
Over the past 40 years since the six day war of 1967, Israel has converted a virtually unused mountain range into a fresh water collection and distribution marvel. Harnessing modern technology with natural resources the Golan Heights has become an integral part of the current state of Israel.
A nation or civilization cannot survive without a source of living water. With Israel’s growing population fresh water will always be a source of concern. Fresh water demands will only increase in the coming decades and Israel cannot survive without the Golan Heights.
The Golan Heights is the majestic mountain plateau surrounding the North-Eastern half of the Sea of Galilee. The southern height of the plateau is 600 feet above sea level and continually rises until it reaches 8,500 feet at the northern peak of Mt. Hermon. It covers approximately 600 square miles and is 45 miles long at its farthest points and 15 miles wide. It commands a regal view of all four countries that touches its borders; Israel to the West, Syria to the East, Lebanon to the North, and Jordan to the South.
The Middle East is generally a dry, arid region of the world. Israel’s rainfall varies significantly between the northern section including the Golan Heights and the southern section which is largely the Negev Desert. Yearly rainfall averages for the Golan Heights are currently 406 in/year, but the averages are only 36 in/year in the southern parts of Israel. During the three brief winter months Israel enjoys rain, the Golan Heights collects significant reservoirs of rainwater that are critical to maintaining the current level of the Sea of Galilee. The Sea of Galilee is Israel’s largest fresh water lake and supplies the entire nation with the vast majority of its irrigation and drinking water. Israel could not meet current national fresh water demands without the Golan Heights.
Uzi Rubin, missiles and strategic affairs expert, commented on a recent tour of the Golan Heights that although the Golan does hold a military strategic advantage for its owner, the key to understanding the Golan Heights is WATER. Many of Israel’s surrounding neighbors possess weapons that could easily reach Israel’s most populated areas. Ownership of the Golan Heights would not change that. The Golan Heights could enhance Syria’s strategic position but would not greatly change her current military capabilities. But according to Mr. Rubin, water is more precious than any weapon or missile location, “Water is more precious than oil.” If you control almost half of a nation’s fresh water supply with access to their only fresh water reservoir, you control that nation.
Several residents of the Golan Heights shared their greatest fear that if Israel conceded the Golan Heights to Syria, Syria would in turn contaminate Israel’s water supply and the Sea of Galilee. Israel would cease to exist without their enemies firing a single shot or missile. Many of the land owners at the base of the Golan Heights indicated that they have survived missile attacks, sniper fire, artillery fire, and air attacks by the Syrian army, but they could not survive if the water from the Golan Heights was diverted or contaminated. In 1964 Syria began constructing a diversionary canal on the Golan Heights with the stated goal of “drying up Israel.” Their efforts were cut short in 1967 during the Six Day War.
Syria has consistently rejected any offer from the Israeli government concerning the Golan Heights that does not include access to the Sea of Galilee. The Syrian leadership wants partial rights to Israel’s largest fresh water reservoir, the Sea of Galilee, and complete ownership of 30% of Israel’s fresh water supply, the Golan Heights. Anything less is unacceptable. Claiming former ownership before the six day war of 1967, Syria contends that they once owned access rights to the Sea of Galilee. But, according to the agreement between the French and British governments in 1917, Syria was never in possession of any access to the Sea of Galilee. The British Mandate retained control of a strip of land 30 feet wide around the entire banks of the Sea of Galilee. Syria cannot claim any former rights to the Seal of Galilee.
Over the past 40 years since the six day war of 1967, Israel has converted a virtually unused mountain range into a fresh water collection and distribution marvel. Harnessing modern technology with natural resources the Golan Heights has become an integral part of the current state of Israel.
A nation or civilization cannot survive without a source of living water. With Israel’s growing population fresh water will always be a source of concern. Fresh water demands will only increase in the coming decades and Israel cannot survive without the Golan Heights.
