Druse students return to Golan from Damascus
Published August 8, 2012
JERUSALEM (JTA) — Dozens of Druse students studying in Syria returned to their Golan Heights homes.
The students crossed from Syria into Israel on Tuesday through the Kuneitra crossing, despite receiving permission to return two weeks ago. They had been studying at a university in Damascus.
Their crossing was delayed after concerns by the ruling government of President Bashar Assad that they would assist the rebel’s cause, the Jerusalem Post reported.
Druse lawmaker Ayoub Kara, deputy minister for Development of the Negev and Galilee from the Likud Party, assisted in the negotiations to return the students to Israel.
Kara’s office told the Post that he is facilitating aid to Syrian refugees and has been in contact with Syrian government officials considering defection.
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