Druze, Syria and Israel

First Druze crossing in 50 years as Israel courts allies in Syria
It's the first time in five decades that Druze leaders have crossed from Syria into Israeli-controlled territory to visit Druze religious sites and communities here. The buffer zo
Druze Religious Elders From Syria Make Historic Visit to Israel
People gather on the day Israeli Druze leader Sheik Mowafaq Tarif and around 100 Syrian Druze religious elders, in the first Druze delegation from Syria just after 1973 war, visit the Nabi Shuayb Shrine, a holy place for the Druze community, in northern Israel March 14, 2025. REUTERS/Ammar Awad
Dozens of Syrian Druze make a rare visit to Israeli-controlled Golan Heights
Dozens of clerics and others from Syria’s minority Druze community crossed into the Israeli-controlled side of the Golan Heights Friday for the first time in decades.The nearly 100 Syrian Druze crossed the heavily-fortified border area in three buses,
Historic Reunion: Druze Elders Cross into Israel After 50 Years
Druze religious elders from Syria visited Israel for the first time in over 50 years, highlighting Israel's support for the community. Despite the visit's religious nature, it carried political weight due to recent regional tensions.
In a first, Druze clerics visit Israeli shrine since 1948
Dozens of Syrian Druze clerics crossed into Israel on Friday for their community’s first pilgrimage to a revered shrine since Israel’s creation in 1948, The Times of Israel reported. On board three buses escorted by military vehicles,
Three buses carrying Druze from Syria cross into Israeli-controlled area of the Golan Heights
The visit comes as Israel says it is supporting the minority in a country now ruled by Islamists. But many Druze have rejected its overtures, and critics accuse Israel of trying to weaken and divide Syria following the overthrow of President Bashar Assad.
Israeli Druze prepare for first visit by Syrian Druze in decades
The head of the Druze community in Israel on Thursday hailed plans for the first visit by a Druze religious delegation from Syria in five decades, despite escalating cross-border tensions underscored by an Israeli airstrike on Damascus.
Syrian Druze cross armistice line for pilgrimage to Israel
Dozens of Syrian Druze clerics crossed the armistice line on the Golan Heights into Israel on Friday for their community's first pilgrimage to a revered shrine since Israel's creation in 1948.
Group of Senior Syrian Druze Expected to Visit Israeli-Occupied Golan Heights
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - A group of around 100 senior figures from Syria's Druze are expected to visit the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights on Friday, members of the community said, in a further sign of Israel's support for the minority group.
Israel sends aid to Druze in Syria, foreign ministry says
Israel has sent humanitarian aid to Druze communities in its neighbour Syria over the past few weeks, its foreign ministry said on Thursday, in a further sign of backing for the minority group.
Druze Religious Elders from Syria Make Visit to Israel
A delegation of Druze religious elders from Syria crossed into Israel on Friday for the first such visit in more than 50 years, underscoring Israel's backing for the community amid growing tensions with the new government in Damascus.
Syria’s Druze seek a place in a changing nation, navigating pressures from the government and Israel
Syria’s Druze minority is trying to navigate a new, uncertain Syria. Members of the small religious sect find themselves ...
Syrian Druze leader: 'We oppose agreement with new regime due to extremism'
One of the senior Druze leaders in Syria, Sheikh Akl, Dr. Sami Abi Al-Muna, said he opposes an agreement with Syria's new ...
The Times of Israel on MSN3d
Oft-overlooked Druze see new NIS 3.9 billion plan as step to address old grievances
After a Haifa stabbing attack mislabeled as terrorism sent fear through the close-knit Druze community last week, Sunday's ...
The Blogs | The Times of Israel on MSN5d
Syria: The Druze’s defining moment
If the new regime in Damascus keeps pressuring the Druze to hand over their weapons, the ensuing battles could lead to a ...
Damascus may have hammered out deal with Druze in Suweida
The two groups that Israel sought to support in Syria, Kurds and Druze, are now moving closer to integration with the new ...