Israeli Druze Urge Continued Military Support for Syrian Brethren

On May 14, 2025

Outraged by recent deadly clashes between Islamist militants and Druze communities in Syria, leaders of Israel’s Druze minority say the Israeli military was right to intervene—and should do so again if violence resumes.

The Druze community in Israel, numbering around 120,000 and known for its strong ties to the state and service in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), has pushed for action to protect fellow Druze across the border. This connection is one reason behind Israel’s growing involvement in Syria.

“The Druze in Israel have formed a deep bond with the country and the Jewish people—we fight alongside them,” said Anwer Amer, former police officer and mayor of Hurfeish in northern Israel. “I expect my country to protect our brothers in Syria.”

The Druze are an Arab minority with communities in Israel, Lebanon, and Syria. Followers of a secretive offshoot of Islam, they are deeply loyal to their community and seek good relations with the nations where they reside. In Syria, Islamist forces—once linked to al-Qaeda—have taken control since Bashar al-Assad was deposed in December. Israel views these groups as a security threat, especially near its border in Druze-majority Sweida province.

While Israel once focused on countering Iranian influence in Syria under Assad, it now sees Turkey-backed Islamist expansion as a greater threat. In a significant policy shift, U.S. President Donald Trump recently announced the lifting of long-standing U.S. sanctions on Syria, raising concerns in Israel about the new regime’s intentions.

Sarit Zehavi, head of the Alma Centre, a Galilee-based security think tank, emphasised the strategic value of supporting Syria’s Druze: “These communities help hold back Islamist forces. Strengthening ties with them is essential—especially after the painful lessons of October 7, 2023.”She added that Israel also has a moral obligation, given its “special relationship” with Israeli Druze.

That relationship was tested in 2018 when the Nation-State Law declared that only Jews had the right to self-determination in Israel, prompting widespread Druze protests. Still, Druze and Israeli flags fly side by side in northern villages.

In March, a historic visit by Syrian Druze elders to a holy site in Israel for the first time in 50 years drew widespread celebration.

Violence erupted in Syria’s Druze areas on April 29, leaving over 100 Druze, mostly gunmen, dead, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Thirty-two Islamists were also killed.

“This violence feels like an existential threat,” said Anan Wahabi, a Druze former IDF officer and political science lecturer. “It’s hard seeing these images and hearing their pleas for help.”

Druze leaders, including spiritual head Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif, met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging intervention. Some Druze soldiers volunteered to fight, and protests blocked roads demanding government action.

Israel responded with targeted airstrikes, including one near the Syrian presidential palace, warning against troop deployments in the south. Ground forces were also deployed to protect Druze villages, and wounded individuals were evacuated.

“The IDF remains on high alert and continues monitoring the situation,” the military said last week.

Syria condemned the strikes as a dangerous escalation. To ease tensions, the Syrian government pledged to hire local Druze for security roles instead of bringing in outside forces.

Some Druze leaders urge Israel to act more discreetly to avoid making Syrian Druze appear as Israeli collaborators.“We expect protection from a country we risk our lives for—but it should be quieter,” said political scientist Salim Barik. Still, Wahabi insists Israel must act regardless of appearances. “In Syria’s chaos, the Druze have no other options.” In Yanuh-Jat, a Druze village in Galilee, religious elder Sheikh Kamal Hatib vowed continued pressure: “If something happens, we’ll be there.”

Reuters/S.S