Druse students return to Golan from Damascus

Dozens of Druse students studying in Syria returned to their Golan Heights homes.

The students, who had been studying at a university in Damascus, crossed from Syria into Israel on Tuesday through the Kuneitra crossing. They had received permission to return two weeks ago.

Their crossing was delayed after concerns by the ruling government of President Bashar Assad that the Druse students would assist the rebels’ 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.