Last week's showdown over sanctions in the UN Security Council demonstrated once again that the world can't agree on how to stop the bloodshed in Syria -- which raises the question, "Whither Syria?" Or, perhaps more importantly, "Whither the Syrians?"
The UN Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS), which has struggled for weeks to contain and reverse the conflict, was renewed for a "final period of 30 days" just days ago. But it is hard to imagine that this will make a difference, given how little the mission has achieved so far. Moreover, recent events in Damascus suggest that the violence is sure to continue, meaning that ever-larger numbers of Syrians will need protection as they flee into neighboring countries.
It is therefore disappointing to hear that one country bordering Syria is planning to prevent Syrians from entering its territory. Speaking at a military post in the disputed Golan Heights last week, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak told reporters that if large number of Syrians attempted to seek refuge in Israel, "we will stop them."
Syria's border with Israel is the last national boundary that refugees so far have not crossed seeking safety, and to close this potential avenue of escape is unconscionable. With UNSMIS likely to depart within weeks -- and with even the extension of the mission unlikely to stop refugees from having to flee -- the need for safe havens will only increase. Four of the five countries that share borders with Syria have made the decision to keep the routes to safety open. Israel should do the same out of respect for international humanitarian principles.
Out of the 114,000 registered Syrian refugees in the region, Jordan and Lebanon have received well over half -- largely into some of their most resource-poor areas along the Syrian border. When I visited both countries recently, officials, villagers, and aid workers spoke of having reached saturation point. Their capacity to host more Syrians was running out, and they did not know what they would do to protect them going forward.
That was in early June. Since that time, thousands more Syrians have crossed the borders, and Lebanon and Jordan are still struggling to make good-faith efforts to accommodate them.
The world is searching desperately -- and rightly so -- for ways to get humanitarian assistance to innocent civilians inside Syria. So far those efforts have been effectively blocked, while a handful of aid agencies inside the country battle to help those who are trapped however they can. But while the world continues to grapple with how to get greater access in Syria, we must keep in mind that those who have already fled can actually be helped right now. The most basic way the world can assist Syria's battered population is to allow them to escape the violence by whatever path is most expedient for them.
The people of Israel know what it is to be vulnerable; to be refugees. Their country now has an opportunity to show just how deep that understanding really is. Everyone deserves a safe haven in their time of need, even -- or perhaps especially -- when it comes from an unlikely source.
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Israel is technically in a state of war with Syria, so its not obligated to do anything. And at this point, Israel is already having its own problems with illegal immigration. Would Syria do the same if Israeli refugee's needed relief?
Why? Could it be that they are completely unable to respond to UNSC 497, which is thirty-one years old and has yet to be obeyed?
So, the area to which Israel is denying access for Syrian refugees is actually Syrian territory.
Oh? Exactly what international law does UNSC 497 violate or contradict?
Must be just an oversight that it doesn't get posted ...
"The Jordanian authorities have forcibly returned some newly arriving Palestinians from Syria and threatened others with deportation, Human Rights Watch said today.Since April 2012, the authorities have also arbitrarily detained Palestinians fleeing Syria in a refugee holding center without any options for release other than return to Syria. The Jordanian authorities should treat all Palestinians from Syria seeking refuge in Jordan the same as Syrian asylum seekers, who are allowed to remain and can move freely in Jordan after passing security screening and finding a sponsor. "
http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/07/04/jordan-bias-syrian-border
"Jordanian authorities have systematically blocked Palestinian refugees seeking escape from neighboring Syria over the past year, according to a report from Human Rights Watch, or HRW.
Amman officials have forcibly returned Palestinians back to strife-torn Syria or have threatened to deport those who have been able to cross into Jordan. These Palestinians have been arbitrarily detained in refugee holdings centers with no hope of release -- the only option available to them is a return to Syria.
In stark contrast, Jordan has permitted thousands of Syrians into the country since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad erupted, leading to chaos and extreme violence in Syria.
Syrian refugees in Jordan are able to freely move around and are not threatened with deportation.
“To its credit, Jordan has allowed tens of thousands of Syrians to cross its borders irregularly and move freely in Jordan, but it treats Palestinians fleeing the same way differently,” said Gerry Simpson, senior refugee researcher and advocate for HRW."
http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/359966/20120705/jordan-syria-palestinian-refugees.htm
Leave Israel alone.
Should be based on word count.
Israel won the Golan Heights and is keeping it forever. Even if it upsets some people that Israel gets to enjoy a bit more safety thanks to keeping that patch of land.
Just like Michel Gabaudan wants people who hate Israel to be allowed to swarm into Israel.
The Israel-haters want homeless refugees from Sudan to flood into Israel.
The Israel-haters want Israel-hating Syrians to flood into Israel.
Anyone notice a theme?
The Israel-haters support anything that harms Israel or helps "undo" it as a Jewish state.
Israel can literally just sit there and do nothing, and each day some author will attack Israel for it.
It is obliged to protect the lives of refugees. Maybe you think israel shouldn't have to do that. Because it SPECIAL or something?
I'd tell you to stop lying, but I know you're physically incapable of doing so.
What?
Considering it is Syrian territory anyway, & it would be the US taxpayer who ultimately foots the bill for it, Netanyahu needs not fear having to spend his precious pennies to still be able to save lives.
Or have you never read United Nations Security Council Resolution 497?
Maybe israel has been "disputing" it for 31 years?