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
Over half of the roughly 1 million Druze worldwide live in Syria. Most other Druze live in Lebanon and Israel and the Golan Heights, a rocky plateau seized from Syria by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war. Israel’s 1981 annexation of the area is recognized only by the United States, with the rest of the world considering it occupied Syrian territory.
Syrian Druze delegation visits Israel for 1st time in 52 years: Reports
Syrian Druze members expected to visit religious sites in occupied Golan Heights, northern Israel, according to Israeli public broadcaster KAN - Anadolu Ajansı
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.
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,
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.
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 ...
After violence in Syria, Israel says it is prepared to defend Syria's Druze
Israel said that it was willing to defend Syria's Druze community following days of violence in Syria that a war monitor said ...
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Taboonia, a new Israeli Druze restaurant in NYC, is run by a Nova music festival survivor
Opening a kosher restaurant in New York City wasn’t always in the cards for Raif Rashed, a Druze from the village of Usfiya ...
In Netanyahu’s new Middle East, Syria could become Israel’s biggest strategic gain
Just hours after Islamist rebels ousted longtime Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad in December, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stood at edge of the occupied Golan Heights and looked out over ...
Factbox-Syria's Sects: Delicate Mix for Its New Islamist Leaders
- The Christians are split into a number of denominations - some of them tiny communities with ancient roots in pre-Islamic ...
Israel faces new Syria challenge as it adjusts to new strategy amid regional power struggle for influence
Israel is rethinking its Syria strategy following the country's Islamist takeover in December, rising attacks on minorities ...
Syria's Four Wars Explained 14 Years On
Fourteen years after Syria's civil war began, the nation's new Islamist government faces sectarian conflict on four fronts.
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 ...