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Tel Aviv / Berlin (dpa) – In an unprecedented rescue plan here, hundreds of members of a Syrian civilian organization and their families were put on the safe with help of Israel in a disputed area.
A spokesman for the Israeli Foreign Ministry said Sunday about Twitter that they were employees of the Syrian aid organization Weißhelme. First, the newspaper "Bild" had reported. Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas (SPD) confirmed the inclusion of white helmets in Germany. According to the "Bild" is about 50 refugees.
Federal Minister of the Interior Horst Seehofer (CSU) granted a residence permit. This was confirmed by a ministry spokesperson. This means that Syrians do not need to apply for asylum after arriving in Germany. Article 22 of the Residence Act permits the admission of foreigners "for reasons of international law or for urgent humanitarian reasons". White helmets confirmed the rescue of their members in a tweet. The evacuation was made solely for humanitarian reasons.
The Jordanian news agency "Petra" initially reported that 800 Syrian civilians had been saved. Jordan has approved their transit. Later, however, Foreign Minister Ajman Safadi wrote on Twitter that the number was 422.
Evacuees were to be admitted after a temporary stay within three months of Germany, Great Britain and Canada. Those involved had worked in Syrian civil defense and had fled areas that had conquered Syrian government forces.
The Israeli army stated that people were in immediate danger for their lives. His rescue on Sunday night was at the request of the Israeli government and at the request of the United States and several European countries. "The transfer of Syrian refugees through Israel is an extraordinary humanitarian gesture," the statement said. "The civilians were taken to a neighboring country (Israel)".
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that US President Donald Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other people had personally asked him to evacuate the White Helmets.
Government troops launched an offensive in southern Syria in June and have already taken up many positions in recent weeks. Many people fled to the area near the Israeli border in the Golan Heights. Israel has treated thousands of wounded Syrians in recent years, but refuses to accept the refugees.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Maas confirmed the planned admission of members of the Syrian aid organization in Germany. "The White Helmets have saved more than 100,000 people since the beginning of the conflict in Syria," said the SPD politician on Sunday. Their commitment deserves admiration and respect, "and we upheld it by conviction."
With the advance of the regime, many white helmets are now threatening life and limbs. "It is a command of humankind that many of these courageous first responders now find protection and refuge, some of them in Germany." The Federal Ministry of Interior also participated in the planning.
Israel and Syria are hostile countries. During the six-day war of 1967, Israel conquered the Syrian Golan Heights and annexed thereafter. Israel pursues a policy of non-interference in the war in Syria. However, the Israeli Air Force has repeatedly attacked targets in Syria. According to observers, the bombing is directed against Iranian troops and other forces backed by Tehran's Hezbollah Shiite.
Report of the newspaper Bild
Petra Report, Arabic
Spokesperson of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Twitter
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