Latest Developments
First Syrian Druze Crossing in Half a Century: Nearly 100 Syrian Druze religious leaders traveled to Israel on March 14 for the first time in 50 years. The clerics, who crossed the heavily fortified Israel-Syria armistice line by bus into the Druze town of Majdal Shams, were met by thousands of elated members of Israel’s Druze community in the Golan Heights who had been separated from their Syrian coreligionists since Israel captured the Golan after defeating the Syrian Army during the 1967 Six-Day War.
Pilgrimage to Holy Site in Tiberias: The clerics came to participate in a pilgrimage to the tomb of Nabi Shuaib — the religion’s holiest site — near the northern Israeli city of Tiberias upon the invitation of Israel’s Druze and the approval of the Israeli government. Before arriving at the Shrine, the clerics met with Sheikh Muafak Tarif, the spiritual leader of Israel’s Druze community. One young woman was lightly injured by a bullet as a result of celebratory gunfire in the air, which reportedly lasted for hours, during the sheikhs’ visit to the tomb.
Opinion on Israel Split Among Syrian Druze: While Israel’s Druze leaders hailed the visit as a “historic, festive day,” some Druze spiritual leaders in Lebanon and Syria counseled against the trip. On March 1, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that Syria’s interim government, led by former Syrian Al-Qaeda leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, was a threat to Syria’s Druze minority, adding that the IDF was prepared to defend the Druze if attacked by Syrian government forces. Druze spiritual leaders in Syria publicly rejected Israel’s offer of protection and pledged allegiance to the Syrian state.
FDD Expert Response
“The visit of Syrian Druze community sheikhs to Israel is a testament to the importance of preserving religious and familial ties. However, it has faced strong criticism in Syria, particularly from Druze spiritual leaders who opposed it, fearing its political exploitation could threaten both the community and the country — especially amid existing divisions among the Druze leaders, driven by their differing views on Israel.” —Ahmad Sharawi, Research Analyst
“This historic occasion demonstrates an aspect of the Middle East that is all too often hidden: the shared aspirations for freedom of indigenous religious and national minorities, like the Druze and the Jews, in a region dominated by Islam and Arabism.” — Ben Cohen, Senior Analyst and Rapid Response Director
FDD Background and Analysis
“Israel Says Syrian Druze Permitted to Work in Golan Heights,” FDD Flash Brief
“‘We Will Not Allow Southern Syria to Become Southern Lebanon’: Israeli Warplanes Strike Military Targets in Syria,” FDD Flash Brief
“Suwayda Military Council: A new Druze coalition emerges in Syria,” by Ahmad Sharawi
“Israel Secures Its Interests In Syria,” by David Daoud
“Syria’s National Dialogue Committee: A Facade of Inclusivity,” Ahmad Sharawi
Issues:
Israel Israel at War Syria