Majdal Shams resident Hindiya Avidaat wants permission to travel to Syria where she believes her son Farjis disappeared. The Druse citizen insists she must be permitted to travel to Syria to determine where her son has been for the past seven years.

Hindiya explains that in September 2002 her son got on a Red Cross bus traveling from the Northern Golan Heights to Damascus to begin his studies in university. All communications ceased a month later and despite the family’s efforts, they have not been able to track his whereabouts.

Fearing authorities, Hindiya explains her family in Syria has also cut ties with them, leaving them clueless as to Farjis’ whereabouts. The family contacted Mendi Safadi, the media advisor of Druse MK Ayoub Kara, seeking their assistance. According to Safadi, the Syrian Foreign Ministry informed Israel a month following Farjis’ departure he was arrested. Another message was soon released stating the first message was erroneous and Farjis never arrived in Syria.

Hindiya explains “my son has vanished. Just permit me to travel to Damascus to find him. For all we know, he could be locked up there.”

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)