Emotional day for bride
Photo: Avihu Shapira
'Syrian bride' says goodbye
Israeli woman bids her family farewell, crosses border in order to marry Syrian man
Following a festive ceremony Thursday, 24-year-old Nial Safdi crossed the border into Syria in order to meet her future husband, Syrian villager Ravia Safdi.
"About a month ago, the Safdi family turned to the Interior Ministry in Israel and asked that their daughter be permitted to marry the man she loves, a Syrian citizen," Red Cross Spokeswoman in Israel Yael Segev Eitan told Ynet. "Today, after filling in the forms and after Nial renounced her Israeli citizenship, the process was completed."
Goodbye, Israel (Photo: Avihu Shapira)
Many relatives arrived at the Safdi family home Thursday, excited and emotional on the occasion of Nial's last day in Israel. The relatives then traveled to the border crossing, where IDF forces and UN troops, as well as Red Cross personnel, were awaiting the family.
Nial, dressed in a wedding gown and accompanied by her relatives, appeared to be overcome with emotions.
"This is a joyful day for me," she said. "I waited for it for a long time and I thank everyone who accompanied me along the way."
A truck carrying the bride's equipment proceeded to cross into the UN-controlled international zone, followed by a bus carrying 30 of the bride's relatives. The two families met and the bride and groom got together for the first time. About an hour later, another ceremony was held at the Syrian side of the border, attended by the groom's relatives only. A convoy left the area towards the Syrian village where the wedding was scheduled to be held Thursday evening.
Nial will not be able to meet her relatives in Israel from now on, similarly to other brides who crossed the border in order to get married – as long as the Israeli-Syrian conflict remains unresolved. For the time being, family members will keep in touch through email.
