‘We Cannot Remain Indifferent,’ Says Northern Israeli Municipal Leader Seeking to Host Refugees From War-Torn Syria
by Barney Breen-Portnoy
Following Tuesday’s suspected chemical weapons attack in Syria in which dozens of civilians, including children, were killed, a local municipal official in northern Israel said he wants to extend a helping hand and temporarily host refugees from the Jewish state’s war-torn neighbor, the Hebrew news site nrg reported on Thursday.
“We as Jews, with our values and history, cannot remain indifferent to what is taking place not far from here to human beings just like us,” Giora Salz — the head of the Upper Galilee Regional Council — was quoted as saying.
Salz is urging the Israeli government to allow a limited number of Syrian refugees to enter the country. The initiative — which would focus on aiding Syrian children — would be carried out in coordination with humanitarian groups and Israeli security bodies.
“We will organize for them a place to stay, with rest and leisure activities, with the goal of restoring hope to them,” Salz said.
Earlier this year, it was reported that Israel would take in 100 orphaned Syrian refugee children.
While Israel has largely sought to stay out of the war across its northeastern border, it has provided medical treatment to thousands of wounded Syrians over the past six years.