Despite local resistance, Israel is building a wind farm on the occupied Golan Heights
Israel is pushing ahead with plans for a wind farm in the Golan Heights, which has been occupied and now annexed. Almost unnoticed by the world public, the company “Enlight Renewable Energy” is building a wind farm there consisting of 38 wind turbines called ‘Genesis Wind’.
Groundbreaking for the $350 million project was held this month. Several videos are circulating on social networks showing how the fields are blown up by mines for the construction work.
Since then, there have been large demonstrations and bloody protests on the Golan Heights. The Druze community on the Golan Heights opposes the project because they regard the project as an encroachment on their country. During clashes last week, a protester was seriously injured after Israeli police shots. According to Israeli sources, 12 police officers were also injured during the protests. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich condemned the protesters’ readiness to use violence. Although the Israeli government will submit a plan to the Druze, according to the finance minister, they will no longer deviate from the plan.
The Golan Heights are of strategic and economic importance to the region. They represent a military advantage because of their location. In addition, the region has important sources of drinking water, and large oil deposits have also been proven. In 1967, Israel occupied what is part of Syria under international law. In 1981 Israel annexed the Golan Heights. In 2019, under Trump, the United States recognized the Golan Heights as part of Israel.
Before 1967, 130,000 Syrians lived in the region. Today, around 20,000 Jewish Israelis and just as many Druze live in the region. The wind farm is now to be built on the historical settlement area of the Druze. The Druze are a religious minority in the Middle East. Although they largely enjoy their freedoms in Israel, the current move could lead to further unrest with the Druze.
Meanwhile, the world public takes little notice of what is happening on the Golan Heights. Although the status of the region is highly disputed under international law, Israel is sticking to its plans for the Golan Heights.
Israeli security forces detonated an old minefield in the Golan Heights earlier today. pic.twitter.com/YlZDCK7D9t
— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) June 29, 2023