Israeli woman rescued from Syria ran away from welfare program — report

An Israeli woman who crossed into Syria earlier this year and was returned in a Russia-brokered swap has fled the Welfare Ministry-run program where she was being treated, the Kan public broadcaster reports.

The program has notified the state prosecution that she left without notice, the report says.

The Israeli woman who crossed into Syria and was returned in a deal brokered by Russia, in a photo shown by Channel 12 on February 20, 2021. (Channel 12 screenshot)

The woman’s crossing became a major international incident and she was returned to Israel via Russia after over a week of diplomatic wrangling. Her return came at a steep cost and included the release of Syrian captives in Israel, and reportedly involved Israel buying vaccines for Syria.

She was indicted for her actions on charges including illegally exiting the country.

The woman, whose identity is barred from publication, has reportedly suffered from mental ill-health in the past. She is reported to be a 25-year-old from Modiin Illit, who left the ultra-Orthodox community and speaks Arabic.

Most Popular