First batch of Golan apples arrive to Syria

The first batch of apples from the occupied Syrian Golan arrived in the motherland on Monday through the International Red Cross Organization and with the help of the UN Disengagement Observer Force UNDOF.

The Syrian government allowed the entry of the 20 Swiss trucks driven by Kenyan drivers loaded with 200 tons of apples in support of the Syrian Golan farmers and appreciation of their steadfastness and commitment to their land and Arab identity.

In a statement to SANA, member of the People's Assembly for Quneitra governorate Ismail Meri underscored "the importance of this step and its positive outcomes in strengthening steadfastness of our farmers who bravely face up to Israeli repressive measures which seek to prevent them from selling their products."

For his part, head of the Red Cross International Commission in Syria, Jean Jack Frezar, said that this step was taken after long and difficult negotiations, asserting importance of such a procedure.

Israeli forces violated the agreement with the IRCO and decreased the amount to 10,000 tons in an attempt to practice pressure on the Syrian farmers in the occupied Golan.