Earth:Shouting Hill

Shouting Hill seen from Majdal Shams, at a distance of 400 m

Shouting Hill is a location the Golan Heights. It is situated near the Druze village of Majdal Shams in the area of the Golan that is occupied by Israel. During the Six-Day War, Israel captured most of the heights. Shouting Hill is located close to the ceasefire line that separates Syrian and Israeli controlled territory.

Following the war, the Druze community in the Golan Heights was separated by the ceasefire line. Very few visits are allowed between families on either side of the ceasefire line. Israel and Syria are still in an official state of war and no telecommunications or mail are allowed across the border. This is what led some families to come to this hill to see and communicate with their relatives on the other side. Because of the distance, the families had to shout their messages and even used megaphones and binoculars.

People waiting on the Syrian controlled side for their relatives in Majdal Shams

With the advent of mobile phones, this practice has declined, except on special occasions like weddings when families particularly feel the need to actually see each other.

The hill is close to Majdal Shams, at the foot of Mount Hermon and is separated from the village by a valley. On the Israeli-occupied side there is a security zone that stretches over the valley next to the village. On the Syrian controlled side there is a UN observation post which at 1100 meters altitude. The shouting point is 3 km away from the nearest homes of Majdal Shams and 2.5 km away from the border line.

Shouting Hill has become a minor tourist attraction.

External links

• Place Mark of the Shouting Hill on Google Earth
• 25 sec video

he:מג'דל שמס#גבעת הצעקות