Syrian Druze Leaders Enter Israel For The First Time In Decades

In a rare and historic event, approximately 100 Druze religious leaders from Syria crossed into Israel last week to visit sacred Druze religious sites. The visit marks the first official entry of Syrian Druze into Israel in decades and comes against the backdrop of significant geopolitical shifts in the region following the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria.

The delegation, composed of senior religious figures and dignitaries, toured the tomb of Nabi Shu’ayb (identified with Yisro, Moshe’s father-in-law) near Tiveria, as well as the resting place of Sheikh Amin Tarif, a prominent Druze spiritual leader, in the Galilee. The visit was seen by many as a deeply symbolic gesture, bridging years of political and national division through a shared religious and cultural identity.

The Druze community is a unique ethnoreligious group originating in the 11th century as an offshoot of Ismaili Islam. Though rooted in Islam, the Druze faith incorporates elements of various philosophical and religious traditions, including Gnosticism, Neoplatonism, and Hinduism. Druze communities are primarily concentrated in Syria, Lebanon, and Israel, with smaller populations in Jordan and diaspora communities worldwide.

The Druze in Israel number approximately 150,000, recognized as a distinct religious minority. They are known for their strong loyalty to the state, and unlike other Arab citizens of Israel, many serve in the Israeli Defense Forces. In Syria, Druze communities are concentrated mainly in the southern province of Suwayda.

This recent visit evokes memories of earlier cross-border Druze interactions following the Six-Day War in 1967 and the Lebanon War in 1982. During these periods, limited communication between Druze communities on either side of the Israeli-Syrian border was permitted, often facilitated through international intermediaries such as the Red Cross. However, the prolonged Syrian civil war and the isolationist policies of the Assad regime largely curtailed such exchanges in recent years.

The delegation’s visit has been interpreted by analysts as a reflection of the shifting power dynamics in the region. With the weakening of the Assad government and changing alliances, the Druze leadership in Syria appears to be seeking renewed ties with their brethren in Israel. Some experts suggest that this gesture may also hint at a broader desire among Syrian Druze communities to engage with Israel more openly, potentially laying groundwork for future diplomatic or humanitarian cooperation.

Religious leaders in Israel hailed the visit as a landmark event, emphasizing its potential to foster reconciliation and mutual understanding. Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif, Israel’s Druze spiritual leader and grandson of Sheikh Amin Tarif, personally welcomed the Syrian delegation. He noted that such encounters not only reinforce the religious unity of the Druze people but also offer hope for a more peaceful and cooperative future in the region.

Israeli officials, while cautious, also acknowledged the significance of the visit. Though formal diplomatic ties between Israel and Syria remain nonexistent, the presence of Syrian Druze leaders in Israel could be seen as an unofficial channel for future dialogue.