Family members gathered in the demilitarized border region between Israel's Golan Heights and Syria, surrounded by UN forces, to celebrate the Druze wedding of a Syrian groom and a Golan bride. For Bride Arwad Abu Shahen, this may be the last time she sees her family.
Abu Shahen, who decided to move to her new husband Muhanad Harb's home in Jabal al-Arab, Syria, gave up her Israeli Identification card and therefore will not be able to return to Israel unless there is peace with Syria.
Even though family members were sorrowful to bid farewell to Abu Shahen, bedecked in elegant white, they were happy she had found a man she loved.
Abu Shahen, 26, and Harb, 28, who have been in touch for many years, last met in Jordan two years ago and have since stayed in contact via telephone, internet, and the Golan Heights "Shouting Hill," where Druze families on either side shout across the border while seeing one another through telescopes.
This is the first time in four years that a Golan bride has moved to Syria to live with her husband.
The International Committee of the Red Cross aided the wedding, which was held near the Red Cross base in the border region. UN observers watch over the border area to help maintain a cease-fire between the two nations.
Abu Shahen's brother Tarwad expressed his hope "for the Golan to be returned to Syria. I hope Israelis and Syrians will get to know each other better," he concluded, so that peace can ensue between the two nations.
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