A group of 60 Syrian Druze clerics visited Israel for the first pilgrimage since 1948, facing both support and opposition. They are set to meet with Israel’s Druze spiritual leader and visit significant religious sites. This visit reflects ongoing complexities in the Druze identity amidst regional political shifts and humanitarian efforts.
A delegation of approximately 60 Syrian Druze clerics embarked on a historic pilgrimage to Israel on Friday, marking the first such visit since the establishment of Israel in 1948. The group convened near Hader, a village situated in the demilitarized zone of the Golan Heights, under the observation of recently stationed Israeli soldiers. Two buses were prepared for their transportation to Israel, where they will visit the Tomb of Nabi Shuaib, a central figure in the Druze faith, as confirmed by an AFP correspondent.
The clerics are also scheduled to meet Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif, the spiritual leader of the Druze community in Israel. However, it has been reported that they are not permitted to communicate with journalists or carry mobile phones during their visit, according to a source close to the clerics. This pilgrimage follows an invitation from the Israeli Druze community and has sparked opposition among some members of the Druze minority in Syria.
The Druze, who adhere to an esoteric monotheistic faith, are scattered across Syria, Israel, Lebanon, and the Golan Heights, constituting about three percent of Syria’s population, with a significant presence in the southern province of Sweida. The recent pilgrimage occurs in the context of heightened tensions, following the ousting of long-time Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and the subsequent deployment of Israeli troops in the Golan Heights.
Additionally, Israeli Druze have extended humanitarian efforts by supplying food aid to their counterparts in Syria, with the latest delivery occurring this Wednesday. Following a violent clash between Syrian government-affiliated forces and Druze fighters in March, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a warning against any hostility toward the Druze, emphasizing that Israel would not permit harm to the Druze community.
In response, Druze leaders in Syria firmly rejected Katz’s threat and reaffirmed their allegiance to a unified Syria. Historically, the Druze have stayed relatively neutral during the prolonged Syrian civil war, concentrating on protecting their regions and largely avoiding conscription into the Syrian military. Ongoing dialogues are taking place between Druze representatives and Syria’s current leadership to consider the integration of their armed groups into national security forces.
The pilgrimage of Syrian Druze clerics to Israel signifies a noteworthy moment in the relationship between the Druze communities divided across geopolitical boundaries. While the clerics face restrictions on communication and encounter opposition at home, their journey highlights ongoing connections and complex dynamics concerning loyalty and identity amidst regional tensions. The dedication towards humanitarian aid and integration discussions further emphasize the evolving landscape for the Druze in Syria and Israel.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
