On Golan, Israelis grab a front-row seat to the war in Syria

[jakeXT]

For some, war-watching is a sort of a spectator sport; others – and these clearly represent the majority – are deeply concerned.



QUNEITRA OVERLOOK, Golan Heights – The beginning of the school year is usually a dead time for local tourism up on this rocky plateau. But in recent days, steady trickles of Israeli visitors have been turning up to engage in a rather unconventional pastime.

It’s not the fruit picking or nature reserves, for which this north-easternmost part of the country is known, that beckon them these days. Rather, these folks have come to get front-row seats to the war waging in their backyard – for a change, one in which Israel is not directly involved. Armed with binoculars and cameras, they search for those locations overlooking the Quneitra valley that provide the best possible views of battles between Syrian government troops and rebel forces, as the action shifts from day to day, and lately, even hour to hour.

Civil war broke out in Syria two-and-a-half years ago, but recent days have seen quite a bit of action right below this spot, with rebel forces seizing control of the strategic border crossing with Israel and progressing northward from there.

Some of the Israeli voyeurs stop for just a few minutes, during their breaks from work or other activities, to get a quick look. They make use of the coin-operated binoculars already available at some of these overlooks, though originally installed for very different purposes. For others, who lug along folding chairs, coffee and even water pipes, it can become a full-day activity.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/.premium-1.614534

[oberliner]

1. Better than having to rely on CNN

I would probably be doing the same if I could see Russia from my house for example.

[Scootaloo]

2. Eating navel lint is better than "having to rely on CNN"

Kind of a false dichotomy there Obie.

[oberliner]

3. Can't argue with that

I do think if one has the opportunity to view something like this first hand, it is as valuable, or more valuable than watching stories about it on the news.

In any case, I'd want to check it out myself if I could.

[bemildred]

4. I'd want to keep an eye border on that too. nt

[King_David]

5. Hopefully more than just tourists tho. nt

[bemildred]

6. One would hope so. nt

[Mao Shung]

7. reminds me

of right after 9/11, tourists came from all over to peak at ground zero. Yeah, it would be fun. No, you could never get enough information to substitute for news reporters.

[bemildred]

8. If they had a war around me, I'd definitely keeep an eye on it too.

Preferably from a high, safe place. Those ISIS guys are barbarians, very old school. They will attack one of these days.