Israel to let Golan Druze cross into Syria
Decision to open Kuneitra crossing to allow 15 Druze students studying in
Syria to return made by Interior Minister Eli Yishai, pending the approval
of the security establishment.
By Jonathan Lis Haaretz Published 03:38 16.02.12
http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/israel-to-let-golan-druze-cross-into-syria-1.413180

The Kuneitra crossing on the Golan Heights is to be opened Monday to allow
15 Druze students studying in Syria to return, and let families of Syrian
massacre victims pay condolence calls and visit the wounded.

The decision to open the crossing was made by Interior Minister Eli Yishai,
pending the approval of the security establishment.

"I found it proper to respond to the request of Druze notables to open the
Kuneitra crossing and allow passage of the families and students," said
Yishai. "As a public servant it is an honor to help all the communities and
sects in Israeli society."

The students relayed their request to return to their homes in the Golan
Heights through the Druze spiritual leadership in the Golan, saying they
wanted to leave the strife-torn country even though it was the middle of the
academic year.

Yishai plans to see whether the students can be placed in higher education
institutions in Israel to complete their studies, assuming the situation in
Syria doesn't improve soon.

There are 245 Druze students studying in Syria, and the Interior Ministry is
preparing for the possibility that more students will ask to come home.

"Anyone who wants to come back from Syria can do so," said a ministry
official.

Yishai also agreed to let 35 Druze from the Golan, whose relatives were
killed or wounded in the battles and disturbances in Syria, cross over to
visit family there.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu briefly referred to the Syrian massacres
when addressing the Knesset plenum yesterday, mentioning the "criminal
slaughter in Syria. Every day it claims dozens and sometimes hundreds of
innocent people. And not far from there, we hear the murderous declarations
of Iranian leaders."