“While there are many observers in Israel who are skeptical regarding the recent IDF threat, a scenario in which Israel intervenes militarily in defense of Druze populations in Syria is not unfathomable.”
In a recent statement, Israeli Defense Force (IDF) officials issued a statement declaring that the IDF would intervene militarily to prevent the occupation of a Druze town in the Syrian Golan Heights which has come under attack by the Islamic militant group Nusra Front. Militants of the group, essentially al-Qaida’s representatives in the years long Syrian conflict, entered the southern Syrian Druze village of Hader late last week. In the ensuing clashes, 18 residents were reported killed.
The incident drew immediate backlash from the Druze community in Israel. Shaykh Muwaffak Tarīf, the spiritual leader of the Druze community in Israel, called on the government to throw in its support for the Druze under attack just five kilometers from its border. “We didn’t ask and are not asking [the IDF] to go into Syria or take over the village,” Tarif told Israeli media sources “The Nusra Front is under the watchful eye of the IDF, which could tell them: ‘Be careful, don’t go near this village, to us this is a red line.’ We’re counting on the IDF to do this.”
The Druze response to the Hader incident didn’t stop at words.
A large group of demonstrators from the Druze village of Majdal Shams, located about one kilometer from the Syrian border, organized a riot at the border security fence. From the dozens that gathered, about ten participants managed to break through the fence and enter into Syria. IDF forces gave pursuit and returned the demonstrators to Israel.
The Israel national police are concerned about additional protests breaking out in Druze areas in reaction to the situation in Syria. Several protest participants have promised as much. One resident of Majdal Shams that participated in the border riot was quoted saying “We are not hurting anyone, nor will we remain silent over this attack on us”. “Us” of course referring to the broader Druze nation. “If this attack repeats itself, then Israel will be certain that we will remove the security fence and enter the village to protect them, and no one can stop us.”
According to reports, the al-Nusra assault hit very close to home within the Israeli Druze community, with several of the victims in the attack being the relatives of Israelis. Akram Hasson, a Druze member of the Israeli Knesset, told media sources that four of the victims were members of his extended family.
On the other hand, Israel has a special relationship with the Druze population that it cannot, and does not want to ignore.
An attack on a Druze population, especially one so close to the border, puts Israel into a unique predicament. Israel on its part is not looking to escalate its consistent, yet mostly low-level operations in Syria. With a major civil war raging for years on its northern border, involving multiple militant groups – none of them fans of the Jewish state, Israel has not surprisingly been drawn into acting militarily in Syria over the past several years.
This is including the highly publicized airstrikes on a joint Syrian-Iranian owned industrial facility in September, and most recently additional strikes on sites near the city of Homs. It would not be in Israel’s interest to stage an invasion of a Syrian village, taking the bold step of putting IDF boots on the ground.
On the other hand, Israel has a special relationship with the Druze population that it cannot, and does not want to ignore. Druze, more than any other minority ethnic group in Israel, contribute greatly to and are highly supportive of the Jewish state. Druze serve as public officials, Knesset members, and even top military officers.
In one example that has become IDF lore, Druzi colonel Ghassan Alian served as the commander of the Golani Brigade, the spearhead of Israeli infantry, during Operation Protective Edge in Gaza in 2014, and was wounded during the initial thrust into the northern Strip while leading his troops into battle.
So when Israel’s Druze feel that Israel is standing by idly while their kin are being killed by jihadists just a stone’s throw from the security fence, Israel feels compelled to show signs of support, even if it would be a major step to back up threats with words.
While there are many observers in Israel who are skeptical regarding the recent IDF threat (and they have good reason to be), a scenario in which Israel intervenes militarily in defense of Druze populations in Syria is not unfathomable. Even disregarding Israel’s unique relationship with the Druze people, from a purely humanitarian perspective Israel may be pushed to act if groups like al-Nusra continue to attack civilian centers so close to its border. The jihadists know this. Hopefully the Israeli threat will be enough of a deterrent against any violence targeting Druze, or anyone for that matter, in southern Syria.
