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Israel mulls Druze “safe zone” in Syria as Israeli brethren rally in support
In northern Israel’s Druze villages, thousands took to the streets over the weekend to call for action as the Druze communities across the Syrian border appeared to come under threat from armed Islamist groups.
The Druze people are largely scattered across Israel, Lebanon and Syria. In Israel, the community is estimated to number around 130,000, concentrated mainly in northern towns and villages. Druze serve prominently in the IDF, including many officers and members of elite units. Meanwhile, Druze Knesset members include Likud’s Deputy Minister of Regional Cooperation Ayoub Kara.
Israel’s Druze community has no common stance on the Syrian Civil War. However, last week it was reported that at least 20 Syrian Druze were massacred by the al-Qaeda-affiliated opposition group, the al-Nusra Front. It prompted fears that the Syrian Druze, who have remained impartial during the conflict, are being increasingly targeted and are in particular at the mercy of ISIS. Haaretz reports that Israeli officials asked Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martin Dempsey to increase aid to Syria’s Druze during his visit to Israel last week.
Over the weekend, thousands of Israeli Druze took part in rallies in Yarka and Daliat al-Carmel calling for international intervention on behalf of their Syrian brethren. Many have family in the Syrian areas being threatened by Islamist groups. The rallies were attended by the community’s leading clergymen and sheikhs.
The Walla news website reports that Israel is talking to other countries and the International Red Cross about the possibility of establishing a “safe zone” on the Syrian side of the Golan Heights for Druze refugees who may flee their homes. Israel has refrained from intervening in the Syrian conflict, although fighting has periodically spilled into Israeli territory. However, medical treatment has been provided in Israeli hospitals to hundreds of wounded Syrians. Walla quotes a senior Israel source saying “we have no intention of ignoring the possibility of a mass genocide of the Druze minority” in Syria.