Israeli army conducts controversial hiking tours in occupied Golan Heights

In December 2023, following the upheaval in Syria, the Israeli army capitalized on the situation by seizing territory in the Golan Heights. This area had previously been designated as a buffer zone under a 1974 ceasefire agreement, restricting access for both Syria and Israel. However, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) began hosting civilian hiking tours in this contested area in April 2024, coinciding with the Jewish Passover festival. These tours are conducted twice daily and quickly sold out, indicating considerable interest among tourists. Participants on these tours are transported in bulletproof buses and escorted by armed personnel, arguably reflecting the heightened security concerns in such a politically charged area. The itinerary incorporates notable historical sites, including the Syrian slopes of Mount Hermon and Shebaa Farms—an area that has been a longstanding flashpoint of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The collaboration for these tours includes the Golan Regional Council and various environmental groups, under an initiative dubbed "Returning to a Safer North." Critics have labeled the initiative as provocative, merging aspects of militarization with tourism, all while asserting Israel's territorial claims in a land it annexed in 1981—a move that remains unrecognized by the United Nations. The U.S. did recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights in 2019, making it the only country to do so, which significantly impacted regional dynamics. The tours signify an attempt not only to generate tourism but to influence narratives surrounding the Israeli army's historical presence in the region and contribute to the broader narrative of the so-called "Greater Israel" project. Overall, these tours have drawn both interest and criticism, highlighting the complex interplay of tourism, military presence, and territorial claims in the heavily contested Golan Heights. They underscore the ongoing tensions and the sensitive nature of the region, particularly as the Israeli government works to emphasize its connection to the land amid fluctuating geopolitical circumstances.