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Attacks on Syrian Druze by Islamist Gunmen Is Pushing Some to Consider Israeli Protection

(Washington Post) Louisa Loveluck - Clashes with pro-government fighters have killed dozens of Druze in Syria's Sweida province over the past few weeks, provoking such fear that some Druze say they are now looking for help from Israel. Recently, Israel has cast itself as the protector of Syria's Druze, opening the border for the first time in decades for religious pilgrimages, publicizing a plan to grant permits to them to work temporarily in northern Israel, and touting an Israeli "security umbrella" for them. One of the country's most influential sheikhs, Hikmat al-Hijiri, told the Washington Post that Israel was "not the enemy." "In Syria, we should only care about the Syrian cause," he said, a reference to the previous regime's insistence that it was a champion of Palestinian rights and thus opposed to Israel. In Harran, local Druze fighter Rabiya Murshed, 30, said Israel was helping the Druze "for their own benefit. But to be honest, we don't mind their help against this government. We have no other choice. Those people want to eliminate us by force." The latest bloodshed was sparked by an audio recording purporting - erroneously - to reveal a leading Druze cleric insulting the prophet Muhammad. Sunni Muslim militants initially attacked two areas of the capital with large Druze populations before advancing on Sweida. Misleading social media posts exaggerating the size of the death toll fueled panic in the wider Druze community. Syrian government officials and Druze leaders have negotiated an agreement that leaves much of Sweida province's security in the hands of Druze militiamen. On Wednesday, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said that Syria and Israel were engaged in indirect talks to prevent the situation from getting "out of control."
2025-05-13 00:00:00
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