Al-Marsad has published a new report on Israel’s recent attempt to hold municipal elections in the occupied Syrian Golan (“Golan”). On 30 October 2018, Israel held municipal elections in the occupied Syrian villages of Majdal Shams, Buqata, Masada and Ein Qynia for the first time since it invaded the Golan in 1967. More Shadows than Lights – Local Elections in the Occupied Syrian Golan investigates the municipal elections, focusing on their implications as a tool for the “Israelization” of the Golan and their invalidity under international law.

Israel’s seizure of the Golan led to the complete denial of all political rights for the overwhelming majority of the remaining native Syrian population in the region. Last year marked the first time that the often claimed “only true democracy in the Middle East” held elections in the Golan. However, the elections’ invalidity under international law and their undemocratic character show that they were simply an illegal attempt by Israel to expand its authority in the occupied region. As this new report shows, the elections were thoroughly rejected by the entire native Syrian population with only about one to four percent of eligible voters actually participating.

After a brief introduction and overview of the history of the region, the report discusses why the elections were illegal and illegitimate, despite being presented as an opportunity for democratic reform. The report then comprehensively examines what happened in the lead up to and on the day of the elections. The report concludes by showing how the elections were overwhelmingly rejected by the native Syrian community and therefore failed to support Israel’s attempt to gain tighter control of the Golan.

The elections have shown that the native Syrians of the Golan stand against Israel’s illegal occupation. This latest report highlights how the community has come together to continue to rebuff the systemic oppression imbedded in Israel’s occupation and stand against all of Israel’s illegal actions in the region.