Israel, Syria Open the Border for Apples

May 31, 2010

This marks the fifth straight year for the apple arrangement and the largest transfer yet. Approximately 10,000 tons of apples were transferred to Syria over a number of weeks through the crossing normally used by United Nations personnel. The UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) assisted the IDF in the project. The press release said that the humanitarian gesture is “in accordance with the directives of the Israeli government and the request of the International Red Cross.”

Pierre Dorbes, the deputy head of the ICRC delegation in Israel and the territories, said in an interview with Bridges for Peace that the transfer deal, which began in 2005, was reached following a request from the Golan farmers. Dorbes said the apple deal allows the farmers in Israel to sell their apples in Syria, which otherwise cannot be done, since there is no commercial trading between the two enemy states.“ Dorbes remarked, “I think there is a sense of happiness in the Golan community…because this operation is important for them.”

Source: By Joshua Spurlock, BFP Israel Mosaic Radio