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Source: https://www.ynetnews.com/magazine/article/s1ncs800ofl
Israel's Cautious Ties with Syrian Druze
(Ynet News) Yair Kraus - The IDF has helped establish five locally managed medical clinics for Druze in southern Syria, providing advanced equipment, medicine, and even an ambulance to strengthen evacuation and emergency-treatment capabilities. Some of the clinics have also been equipped with delivery rooms. The military wants to deepen strategic ties with neighboring Druze communities without forcing them to cut themselves off from Syria and without making them dependent on Israeli rule. Israeli officials fear that if the Druze are perceived as having cut themselves off and aligned fully with Israel, rival actors could retaliate against them. Israel currently controls the area from a security standpoint but does not want to assume civilian responsibility for it. Dr. Daabous Najm, who treats patients free of charge at the clinic in the Syrian village of Khader, said: "Give the people of Israel a message that all of us want Israel. All Druze are close to one another, just like you Jews, and we are proud of Israel. Everyone here is dangerous to the Druze. They see us as traitors. They don't know our history with the Jews and how it goes back to Jethro and Moses. But we know, and we remember the alliance."