The Golan Heights are strategically important for several reasons: (a) Israeli presence in the Golan Heights provides a defensible border against invasion by land, as demonstrated by the repulsion of the Syrian attack in October 1973; (b) All of northern Israel is within range of direct artillery fire from the Golan Heights; (c) The Heights control the main water sources of the State of Israel.

 

The Golan Heights have been under Israeli law, jurisdication, and administration since 1981.