Israeli Cabinet Approves Plan for Agricultural Development of Golan Heights
by JNS.org
JNS.org – The Israeli cabinet has approved a plan by the agricultural ministry to establish 750 new farming estates on 30,000 dunams (7,400 acres) of land in the Golan Heights region.
The proposal includes a NIS 375 million ($108 million) investment in agricultural training, upgrading the water systems and clearing mines from the region.
“The Golan residents rely heavily on agriculture as a source of income. The decision came in an effort to expand the employment opportunities and create anchors that reinforces the [Golan Heights community],” Israeli Agriculture Minister Yair Shamir said on his Facebook page.
Located in northern Israel, the Golan Heights was originally captured from Syria during the 1967 Six Day War. In 1981, Israel annexed the territory and applied Israeli law to the region, a move that the international community does not recognize. The region contains some of Israel’s richest farmland and is famous for its beautiful mountainous landscape and wine production.