Holocaust survivor offers jobs to refugees — even if they're from Syria, a hostile country
In an attempt to help ease the Israeli government's burden and at the same time provide an opportunity for Syrian refugees to have a fresh start, an Israeli beverage company is reportedly offering employment opportunities to these refugees at its factory near the Bedouin town Rahat in the Negev desert.
The job offer is seen as remarkable since Israel and Syria are still "formally in a state of war" and have a long history of animosity between them.
SodaStream, the maker of a consumer home carbonation product, will absorb at least 1,000 people, or up to 200 families, in its firm once given the green light by the Israeli government, according to Israel21c, a non-profit organisation and publisher of an English language online news magazine in that country.
"As the son of a Holocaust survivor, I refuse to stand by and observe this human tragedy unfold right across the border in Syria,'' Daniel Birnbaum, SodaStream CEO, said in a statement, according to the online news magazine.
"Just as we have always done our best to help our Palestinian brothers and sisters in the West Bank, the time has come for local business and municipal leaders to address the Syrian humanitarian crisis and take the initiative to help those in need. We cannot expect our politicians to bear the entire burden of providing aid for the refugees," he said.
The company's job announcement was reportedly facilitated by Rahat Mayor Tala-Al Krenawi, who called on the Israeli government to support the joint initiative.
"In this first stage, we will be able to receive 1,000 refugees, and then through ongoing collaboration with SodaStream, we plan to help more. Our hope is that the government will then support our joint effort.''
"Human dignity and hospitality are core values in our culture and we will not allow indifference to the suffering of others," said Al-Krenawi.
According to Israel21c, the company's offer has yet to be approved by the Israeli government.
Rahat is the largest Bedouin town in the world with a population of 55,000. SodaStream moved its factory to the city over a year ago after shutting its controversial factory in the West Bank. Today some 30 percent of SodaStream's 1,100 workforce in the factory are residents of the town.
