Cabinet unanimously approves NIS 40 million plan to double population of the Golan Heights

Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter

The cabinet unanimously approves Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s NIS 40 million ($11 million) plan to double the population in the Golan Heights.

Around 50,000 people live on the Israeli-controlled side of the heights, evenly split between Jews and Druze.

The money will go toward education, renewable energy, the establishment of a student village and a plan for absorbing new residents, says the Prime Minister’s Office.

“Strengthening the Golan Heights is strengthening the State of Israel,” says Netanyahu, and it is especially important at this time. We will continue to hold on to it, make it flourish and settle it.”

Israel conquered the Golan from Syria in 1967, and annexed it in 1981. Most of the world does not recognize Israeli control, though the US granted its recognition in 2019.

Most Popular
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.