Israel to take in Syria refugees?

GlobalPost

What if the Syrian government fell, prompting an influx of refugees into neighboring countries?

At least one country -- Israel, an official enemy of Syria -- is planning for just that. And you know what? They are "preparing to take in" refugees in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, Israel's military chief said, according to Reuters

"On the day that the regime falls, it is expected to result in a blow to the Alawite sect. We are preparing to take in Alawite refugees on the Golan Heights."

Alawite is the sect of Syria's President, Bashar al-Assad. Sectarian violence, some of which is directed at Alawites, has flared up since the anti-regime revolt began 10 months ago. 

But while the Israeli general's semi-offer on its face seems generous, Israel unilaterally annexed the Golan Heights in 1981, after seizing it in the 1967 war and in a move that was not recognized internationally.

Israel's military chief, Lieutenant-General Benny Gantz, seemed to suggest hosting Alawite refugees might prevent Assad from lashing out at Israel as a last-minute ditch effort to save his government: 

"You must take into account that their firing systems remain intact and maintained. [...] I am not sure that as the events continue the Golan Heights will remain quiet. It could be, under certain circumstances, as a lifesaver, he could act against us."

More from GlobalPost: Opinion: For Israel and Syria, peace is within reach 

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