SYRIANS IN GOLAN SLAM ISRAELI OCCUPATION
Golan, Syria, 23 Rabiul Akhir 1435/23 February 2014 (MINA) – Syrian residents in the occupied Golan Heights have condemned Israeli occupation atrocities on the anniversary of the occupation of the territory.
The Syrians on the weekend took to the streets to protest against the Israeli annexation of the territory in 1981, Press TV quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.
During the annual event, the protesters dismissed all Israeli decisions regarding the Syrian territory as illegal and invalid.
“We are here to say that Golan Heights is part of Syria and Israeli occupiers must go,” a protester told Press TV.
The people of the occupied Golan once again renewed the refusal to accept Israeli citizenship as a replacement for Syrian nationality.
They also announced their support for the Syrian army and President Bashar al-Assad in the battle against foreign-backed militants in Syria.
Israel captured the Golan Heights during the Six-Day War of 1967, when it also took control of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
It annexed the Golan Heights in 1981, although the move was never recognized by the international community and was a violation of international law.
The UN Security Council has rejected the de facto annexation in Resolution 497.
The UN also regards the Golan Heights as an occupied territory.
Syrians against terrorism and foreign interference
Meanwhile in Damascus, thousands of Syrians have held fresh rallies to endorse the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Rallies were held in Dweilaa, inside the capital, and in Dhahiyat in the Damascus countryside.
The Syrians condemned foreign interference and terrorism in the Arab country.
Pro-government rallies have frequently taken place during the past three years.
On February 19, a demonstration was held in the town of Sayyidah Zaynab in Damascus countryside. The participants carried posters of Assad and chanted slogans against terrorism and foreign interference in the country.
Eleven days before this incident, on February 8, mass rallies were held in support of Syria’s President in Damascus and its countryside. Pro-government demonstrations were also held in the western city of Homs and its countryside.
Furthermore, Syrians also took to the streets in Damascus and the town of Nabek in support of the government on February 2.
Syria has been gripped by deadly violence since 2011. According to reports, the Western powers and their regional allies – especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey — are supporting the militants operating inside Syria. (T/E01/IR)
Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)
