The Golan Heights (Hebrew: רמת הגולן Ramat HaGolan, Arabic: هضبة الجولان Haḍbat al-Ǧūlān) or Golan is a plateau on the border of Israel, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria.
The name "Golan" refers both to the historical name of a geographic region, and, in contemporary usage, to territory captured by Israel from Syria. (See Names and their applications below)
Israel captured the Heights from Syria in the 1967 Six-Day War (and again in the 1973 Yom Kippur War). Most of the Druze population of around 53,000 fled. In the 1970s, new Jewish settlements were founded in the captured area. In addition to its strategic importance the Golan Heights watershed, including the Sea of Galilee, provides 50 per cent of Israel's water supply, and is thus an important source of water for the country. Although the Heights were annexed by Israel in 1981 this was not internationally recognized and United Nations Security Council Resolution 242 considers the area part of Israeli occupied territories. Israel maintains it may retain the area following text of the resolution calling for its right for "safe and recognized boundaries free from threats or acts of force". (See Current status below). In 1981, Israel applied its "laws, jurisdiction and administration" in the Golan Heights with the Golan Heights Law, governing it as part of its North District. Syria asserts that the Heights are part of the governorate of al Qunaytirah.