Historic Visit: Syrian Druze Religious Elders Cross into Israel After 50 Years

A delegation of Druze religious elders from Syria crossed into Israel on Friday, highlighting Israel’s growing engagement with the community amid ongoing regional tensions.

Around 100 Druze sheikhs from villages near Mount Hermon traveled to Israel to visit sacred religious sites, including the tomb of Prophet Shuayb in the Lower Galilee. As they arrived in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, they were greeted by local Druze residents dressed in traditional attire, waving Druze flags, and celebrating their arrival.

Nazeh Rakab, a religious leader from Hadar, Syria, expressed his emotions, stating, “This visit is a moment of unity and deep spiritual significance for our people.” The delegation later gathered in Julis, Israel, to meet Mowafaq Tarif, the spiritual head of the Druze community in Israel.

While the visit was welcomed by many, it also drew sharp criticism from some Syrian Druze factions. A group from Hadar issued a statement condemning the visit, claiming that Israel was using the occasion for political leverage. The statement accused Israel of attempting to “divide the community for its own strategic interests in southern Syria.”