Tourists in Golan Heights, today
Tourists in Golan Heights, todayTamar Gilboa

Thousands of hikers celebrated 50 years of renewed Jewish presence in the Golan Heights with tours organized in cooperation with Midreshet Golan, the Golan Regional Council and the Eshkolot Association.

Thousands of tourists arrived today (Sunday) in the Golan Heights to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the Heights during the Six Day War.

The families who came to the Golan Heights enjoyed free tours in the ancient synagogue in Deir Aziz, which was renovated and upgraded over the past year, enabling an impressive archaeological experience, while examining the olive press and the ancient spring house.

The tours were conducted by Midreshet Hagolan guides, a branch of Eshkolot - a forum for tour centers and Israeli awareness, in cooperation with Golan Tourism. The travelers filled the springs and river banks, built temporary huts and enjoyed the holiday atmosphere.

A surprise awaited veteran travelers who who thought that they knew every corner of the heights, and some of the tours included unfamiliar corners, as well as a new angle on the industry of the Golan residents and explanations.about the agricultural industries that support the residents.

The small children also enjoyed milking cows in the dairy farms, as well as the explanations about the horses which are used for transportation and the spectacular view of the vineyards of the Golan Heights Winery.

Oded Porat, director of Midreshet Hagolan, said: "This is the ninth year in which we have been teaching free of charge in this region, as part of the Midrasha's mission to connect Israelis to their heritage in the Golan Heights, which has been going on for 2,000 years. The hordes of travelers celebrate and delight in the spectacular views at the 'eyes of the state.'"