In the past few days, the Syrian army has extended its assault in the country’s southwest, driving thousands from their homes. After a week of fighting, with thousands of Syrian refugees pouring toward Israel on the southern Golan Heights, and despite the human tragedy, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not changed his policy barring the entry of refugees except for urgent medical cases.

“We will continue to defend our borders,” Netanyahu told the press at the start of the weekly Cabinet meeting on July 1. “We will extend humanitarian assistance to the extent of our abilities. We will not allow entry into our territory, and we will demand that the 1974 Separation of Forces Agreement with the Syrian army be strictly upheld.” He added that he is continually in contact with the White House and the Kremlin, and that the defense minister and chief of staff are in constant contact with their counterparts as well.

Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman delivered a similar message on June 29. “As always, we will be ready to provide humanitarian aid to civilians, women and children, but we will not accept any Syrian refugee to our territory.”

In fact, while the army of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad continued to assault the town of Daraa, in the south, official sources in Israel made every effort to highlight the humanitarian aid that Israel is offering to refugees fleeing the fighting. Israel Defense Forces officers were sent to the media frontlines to give interviews and briefings about the aid that Israel is providing to these refugees. Israel currently provides them with hundreds of tents, baby food, clothing, fuel and, of course, medical assistance, including the transfer of several refugees to hospitals in Israel. There is no doubt that Israel is taking advantage of the circumstances to show the humanitarian face of a beautiful Israel to the world. At the same time, it is also keeping its border shut, in coordination with the United States, Russia and Jordan.