Exploring disputed terrain: Israel launches civilian tours in seized Golan Buffer Zone

Department of Research, Studies and International News 11-04-2025

During the recent Passover holiday, Israel initiated a controversial new program that allows civilians to participate in guided hiking tours through recently occupied territory in the Syrian Golan Heights. This move comes amid heightened tensions in the region and has sparked widespread debate regarding sovereignty, military presence, and the role of tourism in contested lands.

The week-long initiative, organized by the Israeli military and local civic bodies, offered twice-daily excursions into a stretch of land previously deemed inaccessible to the public. These tours, which were sold out shortly after their announcement, mark a significant shift in Israel’s engagement with the area, both strategically and culturally.

Participants are transported in bulletproof buses under military escort, traveling up to 2.5 kilometers into what is internationally recognized as Syrian territory. The region now under Israeli control was once part of a demilitarized buffer zone in the Golan Heights, which Israel captured during the 1967 Six-Day War. The new tours are focused on areas seized more recently, following the collapse of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December, according to Israeli sources.

One of the key destinations on the itinerary is the Syrian side of Mount Hermon, a prominent peak offering views toward Damascus and neighboring Lebanon. The route also includes a visit to the Shebaa Farms, a disputed zone located at the intersection of the Lebanese, Syrian, and Israeli borders. This area has long been a source of friction between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah, and is historically believed by some to be linked to the biblical covenant with Abraham.

In addition to military and historical landmarks, the tours showcase the natural beauty of the region. Hikers are invited to explore the Ruqqad river valley, which feeds into the Yarmouk River near Jordan, and to observe relics of the once-vital Hejaz railway. This Ottoman-era line once connected Istanbul with key cities such as Haifa and Nablus, as well as Islamic holy sites in what is now Saudi Arabia.

The initiative is the result of cooperation among several bodies, including the Israel Defense Forces’ 210th Division, the Golan Regional Council, the Keshet Yehonatan religious education center, the Golan Field School, and the Israel Nature and Parks Authority. It falls under a broader campaign titled “Returning to a Safer North,” which emerged in the aftermath of a brief but intense war between Israel and Hezbollah in late 2023. That conflict, which followed Hamas’s attack on Israel in October, further destabilized the northern front and drew renewed attention to the Golan region.

The Israeli military has defended the tours, stating their aim is to revive tourism and heritage in an area that saw significant conflict. An official IDF statement emphasized the importance of educating the public about the battles that shaped the region during the recent war, and restoring civilian presence.

Nevertheless, the tours are not without risk. Organizers have made it clear that tourists participate at their own discretion, and excursions may be abruptly canceled in the event of security threats. Despite operating in a region widely regarded as Syrian territory under international law, the IDF maintains that the tours take place within Israel’s borders.

The expansion of Israeli military presence into Syrian territory escalated after Assad’s departure, with airstrikes targeting military infrastructure and ground forces reportedly breaching the 1974 disengagement agreement that once helped maintain a fragile calm along the border.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted that Israel will maintain its presence in the area until a new security framework is agreed upon. He has called on the newly formed, Islamist-led transitional Syrian government to steer clear of the border, citing national security concerns.

Given the overwhelming public interest, tour organizers have expressed hope that similar trips may continue beyond Passover, provided that the security environment remains stable.

This new approach to utilizing disputed territory for public engagement, combining military oversight, national heritage, and tourism, reflects broader trends in Israel’s policy toward its border regions. It also raises serious questions about the future of contested zones and the ways in which historical and geopolitical narratives are being reshaped through state-sponsored initiatives.