Syrian Druze Leader Praises Israel's State Model, Calls Community 'Integral Part of Israel'

The spiritual leader of Syria's Druze has described the community as "an integral part of the State of Israel," a declaration that drew sharp reactions across the region and deepened tensions between Suwayda province and Damascus.

Hikmat al-Hijri made the statement at a gathering in Suwayda on Monday, praising Israel's model of state-building and saying the two communities shared "common denominators" that he said extended to doctrine.

He said the region's inhabitants shared a common fate and that the current period would require sacrifices to achieve stability.

Al-Hijri is one of Syria's three Sheikh al-Aql, the senior religious leaders of the country's Druze community, and has emerged as its most influential political and spiritual figure in Suwayda.

The Druze follow a monotheistic faith that emerged in the 11th century as an offshoot of Ismaili Islam and is now generally regarded as a distinct religion.

There are roughly 1 million Druze worldwide, with most living in Suwayda province in the southwest and the surrounding Jabal al-Arab, and smaller communities in Lebanon and Israel.

The Israeli Druze have a specific status within Israel: unlike other Arab citizens, they are subject to mandatory military service and have traditionally served in the Israeli Defence Forces.

Al-Hijri linked his vision for Suwayda's future to establishing a "civil state" that guarantees the rights of all communities without discrimination.

He hinted at developments in the province that could be announced "within days," without elaborating.

Pushback against al-Sharaa

Al-Hijri has previously called for special administrative arrangements for Suwayda and floated the idea of the province coming under international protection or joining another state.

He thanked Israel publicly for its military intervention during clashes in July 2025, when Israeli aircraft struck targets in Damascus and elsewhere in what Israel described as protection of Druze communities. Syria's government condemned those strikes as a violation of sovereignty.

Since Bashar al-Assad's fall in December 2024, al-Hijri and allied forces in the predominantly Druze province have been pushing for autonomy and have resisted integration with the new Damascus government under President Ahmad al-Sharaa.

Armed clashes between local factions and forces affiliated with the central government have broken out periodically.

The province has refused to hand over weapons or accept Damascus-appointed security officials, making it one of al-Sharaa's most difficult governance challenges.

Sources close to al-Hijri denied any direct negotiations with Damascus were under way, while acknowledging US mediation efforts focused on specific issues, particularly the fate of detainees held by both sides.

Just days prior to al-Hijri's remarks, a Syrian-Israeli meeting in Jordan was brokered by the United States, aimed at de-escalating tensions and discussing security arrangements in southern Syria.

Al-Hijri has previously called for international intervention in Suwayda. He said residents' demands before the recent violence had focused on a democratic system that rejected divisions.

Al-Hijri is the most influential Druze leader in Suwayda, but his position does not represent all Syrian Druze, some of whom have rejected calls to associate the community or Jabal al-Arab with Israel.