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http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3609907,00.html

I'm no military strategist, but I've always heard that the Golan Heights were key to Israel's defence.

Good move on Bush's part?

The significance of the Golan Heights to the security and welfare of Israel is outlined below:

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The topography of the Golan serves as a natural blockade against any military attack from Syria. The Golan is essentially one high-altitude plateau that overlooks southern Syria and serves as an excellent vantage point for Israel to keep track of Syrian military movements. [3]
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Advances in ballistic technology in recent years have increased the importance of keeping control of this strategic high ground and maintaining geographic depth. [4]
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During the 1973 Yom Kippur War, control of the eastern mountain ridge of the Golan helped 177 Israeli tanks to repel 1,400 Syrian tanks. [5]
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The Sea of Galilee borders the southwestern Golan and provides one-third of Israel's fresh water supply. In 1964, the Syrians attempted to impair Israeli access to fresh water through a damming project, which the Israel Defense Forces ultimately thwarted. [6]
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Israel has utilized the fertility of the Golan landscape to enrich and expand Israel's agricultural sector.
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About 40 percent of Israeli beef, 30 percent of Israeli fruit and 38 percent of Israeli wine exports come from the Golan. [7]