Fringe Israeli settler group is sneaking into Syria to try to claim land for a Jewish outpost

AdvertisementPioneers of Bashan are named after a biblical regionFormed early last year, the Pioneers of Bashan are a group of right-wing Israeli activists aiming to establish Jewish settlements inside Syria. Aim to establish a Jewish outpost inside SyriaThe group seeks first to establish a Jewish outpost in southern Syria next to the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights. Israeli military says the group compromises its operationsIsrael’s military says it takes a firm hand with the border-crossers. Syria and Lebanon are more concerned about military occupationSyrian officials have not commented publicly on the attempts by Israeli settler groups to enter Syria. In Lebanon, a fringe Israeli settler group — “Uri Tzafon,” or “Awaken, O North” — has staged incursions into the southern part of the country.