The Israeli government approved a "incentive plan" for the expansion of illegal settlements in the Golan Heights, which it has advanced its occupation of following the overthrow of the Baath regime in Syria. Turkey condemned Israel's decision. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "We strongly condemn Israel's decision to expand illegal settlements in the Golan Heights, which it has occupied since 1967. This decision is a new phase in Israel's goal of expanding its borders through occupation." NETANYAHU WANTS TO DOUBLE ISRAEL'S POPULATION IN THE GOLANAccording to a written statement from the Israeli Prime Minister's Office, the Tel Aviv administration, which is expanding its occupation of the Golan Heights, considered to be Syrian territory under international law, approved a "demographic growth incentive plan" for the region. The statement noted that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is acting with the desire to double the Israeli population in the Golan, "taking into account the new front regarding the war and Syria." APPROXIMATELY 11.2 MILLION DOLLAR INCENTIVE PLANIn the statement indicating that 40 million shekels (approximately 11.2 million dollars) will be allocated for the "demographic growth incentive plan" in the occupied Golan Heights and the illegal settlement of Katsrin in the same region, Netanyahu stated, "The strengthening of the Golan is the strengthening of Israel. This is particularly important at this time." ISRAEL'S ATTACKS ON SYRIA AND OCCUPATIONFollowing the intensification of clashes in Syria on November 27, coinciding with the collapse of the 61-year-old Baath regime on December 8, the Israeli army increased its attacks on Syria. The Israeli army, which began to destroy the military infrastructure and capabilities left by the regime army, expanded its occupation in the Golan Heights, which is Syrian territory. The Israeli army, which entered the buffer zone around the Golan Heights, advanced its occupation further, reaching within 25 kilometers of the capital Damascus. Israel has been occupying the Golan Heights, which belong to Syria, since 1967. The borders of the buffer zone and the demilitarized zone were determined by the Forces Withdrawal Agreement signed between Israel and Syria in 1974.
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