The Untold Story of the Golan Heights

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In 1967, Israel occupied the western section of Syria's Golan Heights, displacing 130,000 residents and leaving only a few thousand Arab inhabitants in several villages. Often referred to as the 'forgotten occupation,' this area has undergone significant transformation due to Israeli colonization, including land and water appropriation, economic development, and military use. This landmark volume represents the first academic study in English focusing on Arab politics and culture in the occupied Golan Heights, centering on the Jawlanis, an indigenous community navigating everyday colonization and resistance. The chapters explore governance in the Golan, examining Israel's manipulation of the education system, collective memory, and the installation of large-scale wind turbines, which symbolize encroachment. It highlights various forms of resistance, including the six-month strike of 1982, youth mobilization, Palestinian solidarity movements, and the emergence of Jawlani art and writing as acts of defiance. Rich in ethnographic detail, the book features contributions from Jawlani, Palestinian, and UK researchers, offering diverse perspectives. Its innovative format includes shorter reflections from young Arab researchers, activists, and lawyers responding to traditional academic chapters, establishing a bold new 'de-colonial' approach.