Syrian Druse Pilgrimage Marks Historic Visit to Israel

A group of Druse pilgrims from Syria made a historic journey to Israel recently, reflecting on the evolving relations between the two nations following the turmoil caused by the Assad regime's fall.

A delegation of approximately 100 Syrian Druse made a notable pilgrimage to Israel over the weekend, marking a significant event in the backdrop of ongoing tensions and conflict. The trip, aimed at visiting a revered shrine, symbolizes an unexpected thaw in relations between Israel and the Druse community following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's dictatorship.

Traditionally, Syrian Druse have faced severe restrictions in crossing the border into Israel due to the longstanding state of war between the two nations. However, amid the changing political landscape, this rare pilgrimage allowed these pilgrims to visit holy sites like the Tomb of the Prophet Shuaib in northern Galilee, watched over by their Israeli Druse brethren.

Sheikh Muwafaq Tarif, a prominent Druse leader in Israel who facilitated the visit, expressed his joy over seeing fellow Druse after decades of separation. He acknowledged having previously known many of the pilgrims only through phone conversations, revealing the emotional significance of their reunion.

In Israel, a sizable portion of the Druse community holds Israeli citizenship, actively participates in the military, and is generally perceived as loyal citizens. On the other side of the Golan Heights, areas retained by Israel from Syria following the 1967 conflict, some Druse residents maintain their Syrian identity, holding Israeli residency permits rather than full citizenship.

The aftermath of Assad's decline has seen Israel increasingly assert its military presence in Syria, conducting airstrikes to prevent hostile groups from escalating activities close to its borders. These actions, however, have raised concerns among Syrians domestically about the future implications of potential Israeli occupation.