Israel’s Netanyahu briefly freezes Golan wind turbine mission that set off uncommon clashes

JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered a quick freeze in building on a wind turbine mission within the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights that set off a uncommon conflict between Druze residents and police.

Netanyahu stated late Saturday he agreed to a pause on the mission throughout this week’s Muslim Eid al-Adha vacation, which is supposed to permit time for talks to defuse the disaster. The mission is anticipated to renew subsequent week. An announcement from Netanyahu’s workplace stated he made the choice based mostly on recommendation from safety officers.

The Druze oppose the plan, which might set up greater than two dozen 660-foot tall generators all through their land. The landowners stated the generators will hurt their agricultural output and that the vitality firm behind the mission didn’t seek the advice of with them in good religion, a declare the corporate denies.

Last week, 1000’s of residents demonstrated in opposition to the mission, storming a police station, throwing stones and fireworks, setting tires on hearth, vandalizing police vehicles, blocking roads and even capturing reside hearth into the air, in keeping with police.

Israel captured the Golan, a strategic plateau overlooking northern Israel, from Syria within the 1967 Mideast battle. Israel subsequently annexed the realm in a transfer that was acknowledged by former U.S. President Donald Trump in 2019. But a lot of the worldwide group considers the realm to be occupied territory.

While Druze leaders nonetheless profess allegiance to Syria, relations with Israel are usually good. The Golan is a well-liked trip vacation spot for Israelis and is full of lodges and eating places, and most residents converse Hebrew fluently. Violent clashes with Israeli authorities are uncommon.