Politics

Druze mark 1982 strike against Israel’s annexation laws in Golan Heights

Jerusalem, Feb 14 (efe-epa).- Members of the Druze community in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights on Sunday staged a protest to commemorate the 1982 strike against the annexation of the territory from Syria.

Several hundred took part in marches and some of the protesters in the Druze town of Majdal Shams held aloft portraits of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Syrian national flags. Israel seized the territory from Syria during the 1967 Six-Day War and annexed it in 1981.

The Druze community staged a strike in 1982 to reject Israeli citizenship just months after the country annexed the Golan Heights. Israeli authorities conceded the demand, offering those who did not want citizenship permanent residency instead.

Over the decades of occupation, many younger members of the Druze community have lost their sense of connection with Syria. An estimated 20% have Israeli citizenship.

Former United States President Donald Trump broke with international norms in 2019 to recognize Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights although Joe Biden is expected to re-address the issue. EFE-EPA

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