This thesis examines the need of Israel to retain the Golan Heights from the viewpoint of Israel. Geographical and economic background factors are discussed, followed by political and military factors in terms of this area. Since World War II, the Arab-Israeli dispute has erupted into five wars and keeps the region in a constant state of tension. The former British mandate of Palestine, which is subject to claim by two different nations, Arabs and Jews, has been the area of persistent conflict. The recent Arab-Israeli war in 1973, was not limited to a war between the opponents, but resulted in an oil embargo against the western industrial nations by the Arab oil producing countries and nearly caused a confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union. The Arab initiative in the last war was an effort to force a fresh political effort to alter the 'status quo' of the area. One of these unsolved problems constitutes the boundary disputes between Israel and her neighbors. The focus of current Arab demands is the problem of land lost in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. The recently completed peace treaty between Israel and Egypt has settled the land dispute in the Sinai, however the problems of the Golan Heights, the West Bank and Jerusalem remain. The Golan Heights occupied by Israel in the 1967 War characterizes a very controversial problem between Israel and her neighbors. The analysis of the background and the political/military environment reveals that, in fact, Israel has legitimate reasons for retaining the Golan Heights for the foreseeable future.

ADA 091599 Approved for public release; Distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)