Hidden cards: What motivates Netanyahu to protect the Druze in Syria?

Israel and Arab affairs expert, Magdians of the Dairy, says that the Druze community, which is recognized in the strong cohesion of its members, is scattered in significant numbers in three countries: Syria, Lebanon and Israel. And that leaders of the Druze community in Israel have been active over the years in providing assistance to their brothers in Syria, especially since the outbreak of the Syrian Revolution, through various channels that included material assistance and diplomatic mediation efforts.

“These relationships are limited to assistance, support and attempt to remove the injustice or oppression of the brother, nurse and family, but they do not mean to make him act against his state’s interests or place of residence, which will be,” he explained.

However, Netanyahu’s recent statements regarding the Druze defense in Syria has aroused mixed reactions. In Lebanon, the Druze leader Walid Jumblatt has been on a strong attack against Sheikh Mofcak Truff, the spiritual leader of the Druze community in Israel, claiming to be “supported by the Zionist forces.” Jumblatt warned that it was an Israeli attempt to separate the Druze from Syria and create security buffer areas, in a similar format to the security strip that existed in southern Lebanon.

Halabi, in the Arab-Moroccan online newspaper, wrote that the surprise is not in the statements themselves but in the silence of some of the Druze community leaders in Israel and Syria. He said, on the one hand, there is a strong Druze fraternity, but on the other, questions about Israeli involvement in the Druze fabric of life in Syria are raised.

He said, “Netanyahu and his defense minister, Israel Katz, threatens the leadership of the new Syria through the Druze without asking them, and the strategic purpose is to separate the Druze from Syria and create security buffer areas serving Israel, similar to the security strip in southern Lebanon.”

Israeli security sources emphasize that Israeli policy prevents security considerations, especially in light of the strengthening of extreme factors in the area. However, Algerian Faisal Kassem commentator also argues that it is an Israeli experience to provoke internal disputes in Syria as part of a wider strategy to weaken the countries of the area.

In addition, the commentator claims that residents of villages in Syrian Golan gradually appeal to the Israeli labor market, where they can earn significantly higher salaries compared to the limited employment options and the low wages in Syria. This phenomenon is reminiscent of historical patterns of the employment of Palestinian workers in Israel as well as workers from South Lebanon during the Israeli presence there.

According to him, the changes in the regional power balance have presented new security challenges to Israel, and it is looking for ways to stabilize the situation in the border areas, including by making economic connections with the local population.