Israel’s control over occupied waters in Syrian territories highlights the intersection of water, agriculture, and security interests which result in humanitarian and water instability issues. Israel’s water hegemony is an integral aspect of Israel’s influence in the Middle East.
This strategy of water control and geographical expansion dates back to initial planning for the Zionist movement. Stated at the 1919 Paris Peace Conference in the Zionist Organization Statement on Palestine, the Golan Heights, Jordan valley, what is currently the West Bank and Lebanon’s river Litani were “essential for the necessary economic foundation of the country”.
The geopolitical position of the Golan Heights makes it important for Israel’s interests, particularly as it provides one-third of the state’s water supply.
With the Golan Heights already occupied, Israel’s military expansion following the collapse of the Bashar al-Assad government at the end of last year brings water insecurities to Syrian communities into focus, in addition to wider concerns regarding water and land governance in the Middle East. This involves further presence past the Golan Heights with the military takeover of crucial water sources such as the Al-Wahda Dam in Syria in December 2024 and the Al-Manatara Dam in early January 2025.
The occupation of the Golan Heights
The Golan Heights is situated in the southwestern part of Syria, approximately 60km south of Damascus. The Yarmouk River borders the region in the south with the Sea of Galilee along the west. This area also supports major water sources which feeds the Jordan and Hasbani River. The Hasbani River is a principal tributary of the Jordan River and originates from two springs in the south of Lebanon. It flows through the Wadi al-Taym valley for approximately 40km and crosses the border at Ghajar. The river continues through the Golan Heights, then merges with the Banian and Dan Rivers in the north of Israel to form the Jordan River.
The Golan Heights is traditionally an area economically reliant on agriculture. The fertile land supported the growth of vineyards, apple orchards, almonds, and other crops. Before occupation, the area was inhabited by Syrian residents, including members of the Druze community.
In 1967, Israel gained control over the Golan Heights leading to the expulsion of thousands of Syrian residents. Approximately 20,000 Druze still live in the region today. Over 30 Israeli settlements are established in the Golan Heights housing 25,000 Israeli settlers.
There have been efforts to regain the Golan Heights by Syria. An attempt was made in the 1973 Arab Israel War, which was unsuccessful. In 1974, a UN observer force initiated a ceasefire buffer zone between the occupied Golan Heights and the rest of Syria. In 1981 Israel announced its annexation of the Golan Heights, which has been occupied by Israel to this day.
Although the international community recognizes the Golan Heights as Syrian territory, during President Trump’s first term he stated his support for Israel’s sovereignty of the Golan, and subsequently the water sources. This position was maintained under President Biden’s administration.
Water regulations in the occupied Golan Heights
Throughout the occupation of the Golan Heights, Israel’s authorities have introduced several regulations that have resulted in the capture of land and water sources. The practice of these regulations has caused a decrease in Arab land under irrigation, leading to deteriorating economic and living conditions for Syrian community members.
Laws under occupation restrict the development of water infrastructure if not approved by Israel. Such orders have made it easier to support Israel’s settlements and utilize water in occupied territories, whilst making it difficult for Palestinian and Arab occupied territories, often forcing residents to pay expensive prices to connect themselves to Israel’s water network.
Soon after the 1967 Arab Israel War, Order No.92 was put into act on August 15th, 1967. This outlines Israel’s ‘Mandatory Powers’ regarding water regulations. Many modifications followed this to enforce water restrictions in the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and the Golan Heights. One example of this is Order No.158, enabling Israel to restrict water installations being built, owned or operated without a permit from Israel.
These orders create a restrictive system in which Israel’s settlements are prioritized over Syrians, leading to water insecurity for communities who are dependent on agriculture.
Syrian farmers have been prohibited from drilling artesian wells for proper irrigation of agricultural land. In some cases, drilling licences have been granted for domestic purposes only to depths not beyond 60 meters. In contrast, Israel’s settlements have received permits for developing artisanal wells that reach up to 500 meters deep.
A 2019 UN report also found that permits given to Israel’s settlers for these deeper wells are placed close to the shallower wells, resulting in water sources drying up and being drawn water towards Israel’s settlements.
Additionally, Ram Lake, a major water source in the Golan Heights, was taken by Israel’s authorities under occupation, with its water redirected to Israel’s settlements in order to satisfy domestic and agricultural needs. This further contributes to the development of water insecurity among Druze peoples in the Golan and economic pressures with limited agricultural work.
Hegemony over water sources and reducing water availability to the Syrian population in the Golan Heights, alongside limited agricultural and water resources, has perpetuated economic difficulties of a region that relies on agricultural work.
Salah Maghribi, a farmer from the Golan Heights, found that himself and other farmers exclusively rely on harvesting water after losing access to water sources with the 1967 Israeli occupation. In response to Syrians resorting to harvesting techniques to collect rainwater and groundwater, Israel’s authorities have classified these methods as unlawful and are met with large fines as the occupying government determines all water should not diverge from its path towards Lake Tiberias, which supplies Israel with water.
Israel’s hold over water resources in the Golan Heights echoes similar tactics in the occupied Palestinian territories as Palestinians face discrimination in water management systems. This is clear through the destruction and occupation of Palestinian water infrastructure and the diversion of water sources towards Israel’s settlements.
Recent developments in Syrian occupied waters
Shortly after the fall of the Bashar al-Assad government in Damascus in December 2024, Israel violated the UN 1974 buffer zone enhancing military presence in Syria. Advancements were made into the Quneitra, Dara’a and Rif Dimashq governorates.
Reports claim that Syrian residents of Kawaya and Maariya, within Dara’a, have been faced by the Israel’s military who have limited residents’ access to land and important water resources. Ahmed, a farmer from Kawaya, states that people view Israel as an occupier and will resist the military’s presence.
With military advancement into Quneitra, the Al-Manatara Dam has been taken under Israel’s authority in January 2025. This dam is the largest in the governorate, directing water towards 8 other dams in southwest Syria. Occupation of this dam can limit the amount of water originally directed towards Kawaya, Maariya, and other villages in the Dara’a governorate. With limited waterflow, Syrian farmers have been forced to find other access to water in order to continue agricultural work. This manufactured limited supply of water occurs in a year with an already low rainfall.
Israel’s military presence has also led to the occupation of parts of the Yarmouk River which flows through the Dara’a governorate. With access to this river, Israel’s military can re-structure the water flow reaching further Syrian territories.
The occupation water dams and prominent water sources impose control over Syrian water sources, and subsequently irrigation systems crucial for agricultural work. Many in rural communities are economically dependent on this, in addition to water that is necessary for personal consumption.
Control over economic livelihoods and water insecurity has been established through Israel’s occupation of the Golan Heights and continues as Israel maintains their presence in the Quneitra and Dara’a governorates.
Muna Dajani, a research fellow at LSE with a background in community struggles for water and land resources in settler colonial contexts, has commented that Israel’s possession of water resources in Syria may be permanent with the continued support from the US government and its military power in the region.
Conclusion
With Israel’s seizure of crucial water infrastructure in Syria, it’s interests in securing water sources is a direct threat to Syria, as well as Jordan and Lebanon which are dependent on water sources in the Yarmouk and Jordan water basins.
Over 40% of the world’s population are dependent on rivers which span international borders. Transboundary water management is therefore a critical geopolitical challenge.
Countries which are mutually dependent on a water source should work together to manage water infrastructure and water needs. To allow for sustainable and equitable development of all people in the region and diminish political tension, states should consider establishing water practices which act within its equitable water allocation limits.
- Main image featured above credit: Ram Lake 1980, Daniel Ventura, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
- Map featured image credit: Kbh3rd, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
