BICOM

IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot said yesterday that Israeli forces will prevent the killing of Syrian refugees if they gather at Israel’s Golan Heights border.

Eizenkot was updating the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee on the country’s military position and assessment of threats. He said that the IDF is concerned at the situation on the Syrian Golan Heights, and the possibility that the IDF will need to deal with a flow of Syrian refugees towards Israel’s border. According to a spokesman, he said “We will take measures to prevent a situation where refugees are massacred. Our action would be humanitarian.”

Although he did not specifically mention them, Eizenkot is thought to have been referring to the area’s Druze population. Last week it was reported that at least 20 Syrian Druze were massacred by the al-Qaeda-affiliated opposition group, al-Nusra Front. It prompted fears that the Syrian Druze, who have remained impartial during the conflict, are being increasingly targeted.

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. There are around 130,000 Druze in Israel. They have a strong relationship with the state, and accept conscription to the IDF, with many serving as officers and members of elite units.

There have been media reports which suggest 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. Yesterday, as a precaution, the IDF briefly declared a section of the north-eastern Israeli Golan Heights a closed military zone. The measure, which was lifted after a few hours, was apparently taken due to the possibility of Israeli Druze attempting to cross the border into Syria.