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As Syrians commemorate yet another year of occupation, Israel tightens its grip on the Golan

June 3, 2020

53 years ago this month, Israel occupied the Golan, resulting in the forcible transfer or displacement of over 130,000 people – 95% of the population – who are still waiting to return home.

Meanwhile, the remaining 26,600 Syrians in the Golan face multiple human rights violations and an emboldened Israeli government which is tightening its grip on the region. In addition to enduring overcrowded villages, landmines, travel limitations and suppression of their culture, to name but a few issues, Syrians now face a new challenge: the construction of a massive windfarm on their remaining land.

Despite countless objections, in January this year the Israeli government approved the construction of 25 wind turbines¹ on Syrian agricultural land near three of the remaining Syrian villages in the Golan. The windfarm is being developed by an Israeli energy company, Energix Ltd. (‘Energix’), which in addition to projects in Israel and the Occupied Territories, also operates in the United States and Poland.

In addition to violating international law, Energix’s wind energy project has been marked by a strategy to manipulate and intimidate the Syrian population. This culminated in Energix suing Al-Marsad – the only human rights organisation in the Golan – and members of the Syrian population under Israel’s controversial ‘Anti-Boycott Act’ last year in an attempt to silence the organisation and others who expressed concerns about the project’s legality and impact on the Syrian population.

While continuing to pursue its case against Al-Marsad, Energix was also exploiting the recent COVID-19 lockdown in the Golan to develop sites for its harmful project. Accompanied by Israeli police, Energix representatives were visiting project sites during the COVID-19 lockdown to demarcate plots and erect signs.² Due to the lockdown movement restrictions, Syrians were grounded in their homes, unable to monitor or peacefully protest Energix’s activities. Meanwhile, a smear campaign by supporters of the project against Al-Marsad and others has intensified, resulting in death threats and threats to damage property.

Given the gravity of the situation, last month Al-Marsad wrote to the European Union (‘EU’) to call for its support. In addition to addressing the flagrant violations of international law occurring in the Golan with the Israeli government, Al-Marsad called on the EU to issue a public statement outlining its opposition to the project and provide concrete support on the ground. For example, by attending hearings of the lawsuit against Al-Marsad to ensure compliance with fair trial standards; submitting an amicus curiae brief to the court hearing the case against Al-Marsad; organising an EU fact-finding visit to the Golan; and, supporting human rights defenders in the Golan through training and funding.

With an erratic Trump administration greenlighting the Israeli government’s every move, Israel is tightening its grip on the Golan at the expense of its native Syrian population – both Syrians that remain and those who were forced from their homes over 50 years ago. Following three United Nations experts expressing their concern, it is vital that the EU follow suit and stand up for the rights of Syrians from the Golan.

1. In addition to a further six more pending final approval.

2. At the time of publication, the lockdown is no longer in effect. Energix is continuing to visit project sites.

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