'}}

Names of the Syrian villages in the Occupied Syrian Golan destroyed by Israel

June 27, 2016

 

Al-Marsad has written to Google requesting that it amend Google Maps to show the names of the Syrian villages destroyed by the Israeli military in the Occupied Syrian Golan since Israel’s occupation in 1967.

Al-Marsad has been informed that Google Maps previously showed the names of the destroyed Syrian villages in the Occupied Syrian Golan - however, this is no longer the case and Google Maps now only shows the names of the illegal Israeli settlements built on their ruins.

By only showing the names of illegal Israeli settlements, Google has become complicit in Israel’s attempts to delete the existence of these villages from history. Instead, Google must take an objective approach, in line with international human rights law and international humanitarian law, and stop supporting Israel’s narrative of the landscape of the Occupied Syrian Golan.

Al-Marsad has not yet received a response from Google.

During the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, Israel captured 70% of the Syrian Golan.  Consequently, an estimated 130,000 native Syrian inhabitants were forcibly transferred or displaced from their homes and forbidden from returning.  The Israeli military then began a widespread campaign to demolish their homes that resulted in the destruction of two cities, and over 300 villages and farms.

Israeli settlements – illegal under international law – were then built over destroyed Syrian villages and farms, in so doing, control was taken of the land and natural resources.

These actions by Israel violate multiple rules of international law and have been strongly condemned by the international community.

Today, there are at least 20,000 Israeli settlers in the Occupied Syrian Golan, living in over 32 illegal settlements – often built using the stones from destroyed Syrian villages.

 Dr Nizar Ayoub, Director of Al-Marsad, commenting, said: “Google must take immediate action so that its maps include the names of the destroyed Syrian villages. Google and other businesses have an obligation to ensure they are not complicit in Israel’s illegal occupation of the Syrian Golan.”

Releated Posts

'}}
Legal analysis regarding the targeting of civilians and civilian objects in Syria
Al-Marsad's latest publication provides a legal analysis of the relevant rules of international human rights law and international humanitarian law - specific to civilians and civilian objects - that must be observed by all armed groups involved in the conflict.
READ MORE
'}}
Al-Marsad submits objection to “Hermon National Park” plan
The "Hermon National Park" plan confiscates approximately 82,000 dunams of land by the Israeli authorities, that has been used by the native Syrian residents of Majdal Shams and Ein Qynia since Ottoman rule for grazing, agriculture and urbanization
READ MORE
'}}
Illegal demolition of a home in the Occupied Syrian Golan
In September 2016, Al-Marsad wrote to the EU Delegation to Israel, EU Member State embassies and embassies of the Permanent Members of the UN Security Council, regarding the illegal demolition of a home in the Occupied Syrian Golan by the Israeli authorities.
READ MORE
'}}
Israeli authorities demolish home in the Occupied Syrian Golan
The destruction of this home marks the adoption of a new systematic policy of home demolitions by the Israeli authorities in the remaining Syrian villages in the Occupied Syrian Golan. The Syrian owners of dozens of other homes have been threatened with similar action.
READ MORE
'}}
Al-Marsad becomes member of FIDH – International Federation for Human Rights
The FIDH membership will enable Al-Marsad to interact with hundreds of human rights organizations, therefore increasing awareness of the human rights situation in the Occupied Syrian Golan, in particular, the systematic discrimination of the native Syrian citizens by the occupying authority, that violates their inherent human rights.
READ MORE