Across the Shouting Valley
Exploring the personal and strategic importance of the Golan Heights.
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| People shout across the valley to people on the other side |
Syria says it is attending the Middle East conference in Annapolis to draw attention to the fate of the Golan Heights, a strategically important plateau that overlooks four countries: Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Israel.
Israel seized the Heights from Syria in the 1967 Six Day War, and annexed it in 1981.
More than 100,000 Golan residents fled to Syria after the Six Day War and the 1973 Yom Kippur War, and over 20,000 Israeli settlers moved in to more than 30 Jewish-only settlements in the Heights.
Those who fled are separated from relatives by the 200m-wide valley, fence, coils of razor wire and minefield that separate the Syrian and Israeli sides.
The valley gained its name – the Shouting Valley – because on special occasions separated families gather on each side and shout across while using binoculars to see each other.
Across the Shouting Valley looks at the families of the Golan Heights and their hopes for a peaceful future.
Watch Across the Shouting Valley Part One on YouTube
Watch Across the Shouting Valley Part Two on YouTube
Across the Shouting Valley aired from Tuesday, November 27, 2007 at the following times GMT:
Tuesday: 0230, 1030, 1930
Wednesday: 0530, 1330
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Producer / Director: Abdelhai Hammoud
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