Israel’s Foreign Ministry reported the delivery of 10,000 humanitarian aid packages to Druze communities in Syria, primarily in the province of Suwayda. The aid aims to support this minority group amidst ongoing conflict. Israeli officials have also announced initiatives to facilitate Syrian Druze employment in the Golan Heights, indicating Israel’s ongoing commitment to this community.
In recent weeks, Israel has dispatched humanitarian aid to Druze communities in Syria, as confirmed by the Foreign Ministry. The operation has delivered 10,000 packages of essential goods to support the Druze minority residing in conflict zones. These packages primarily consisted of staples such as oil, flour, salt, and sugar, and were predominantly sent to the southern province of Suwayda.
The Druze are an Arab minority spread across Syria, Israel, the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, and Lebanon. Their faith, which emerged from Islam, possesses a unique identity. In Israel, many Druze individuals serve in the military, including roles in the ongoing conflict in Gaza, with some attaining high-ranking positions.
Following the removal of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, Israeli officials have voiced significant concerns regarding the new Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa. They have criticized his affiliation with the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) movement, labeling it as Jihadist. Despite HTS’s past connections with the extremist group Al-Qaeda, they later severed these ties.
Israel has advocated for the protection of the rights of minority groups in Syria, including the Druze. Recently, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz announced that Syrian Druze would be permitted to enter and work in the Golan Heights, territory that Israel seized during the 1967 war. Additionally, a delegation of approximately 100 prominent Druze leaders from Syria is scheduled to visit the Golan Heights soon.
The recent humanitarian efforts by Israel highlight its commitment to supporting the Druze minority in Syria amid ongoing conflict and political instability. This assistance underscores the complex relationship and Israel’s advocacy for minority rights in Syria, particularly following the changes in leadership. With new measures allowing Syrian Druze to work in the Golan Heights, the efforts reflect a broader strategy to maintain ties with this community.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
