Starting today, March 2, and for the next several weeks, about 30 truckloads of apples grown in the Golan Heights will be exported to Syria, in accordance with government directives and at the request of the International Red Cross.

The apples will be transferred via the Kuneitra crossing, normally used for the passage of United Nations personnel. Representatives of the Red Cross in Syria will coordinate the annual export, taking place for the fifth consecutive year.

UN officials will work with the Red Cross, under supervision of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The IDF is responsible for escorting and securing the crossing of trucks along the Syrian border and ensuring that it takes place quickly and efficiently.

The transfer of the 10,000 tons of surplus apples was approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and will be received by the International Red Cross that requested the produce.

“This is a humanitarian action that helps Druze farmers economically,” says International Red Cross official Yael Segev-Eitan.

Giora Sela, director of the Israel Farmers Federation, says that exporting the surplus fruit benefits Jewish farmers as well by helping to stabilize local prices.