A delegation of 60 Syrian Druze clerics made a historic pilgrimage to Israel, their first since 1948. They gathered in the Golan Heights before traveling to significant sites, including the Tomb of Nabi Shuaib. The visit faced opposition from Syrian Druze and highlighted ongoing tensions within the community and the broader geopolitical scenario. Israeli Druze have provided aid to their Syrian counterparts amidst a complex political situation.
A historic delegation of approximately 60 Syrian Druze clerics traveled to Israel on Friday for the first pilgrimage since Israel’s establishment in 1948. This group gathered near Hader, in the demilitarized buffer zone of the Golan Heights, under the surveillance of recently deployed Israeli soldiers. Upon their arrival, two buses were ready to transport the clerics across the border to Israel’s Galilee region.
The pilgrimage includes a visit to the significance-laden Tomb of Nabi Shuaib, a prominent figure in the Druze faith. Additionally, the clerics are scheduled to meet with Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif, the spiritual leader of the Druze community in Israel. Notably, the pilgrims were instructed not to communicate with the press or carry mobile phones, as reported by supporting sources.
This visit, which comes at the invitation of the Druze community in Israel, has faced opposition within the Druze population in Syria. The Druze, who adhere to an esoteric monotheistic faith, are dispersed across Syria, Israel, Lebanon, and the Golan Heights, comprising around three percent of Syria’s population with a concentration in the southern province of Sweida.
In the context of recent developments, following the ousting of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December, Israel has bolstered its military presence in the Golan Heights, a territory occupied since 1967. The Israeli Druze community has demonstrated solidarity by sending food aid to their counterparts in Syria, with the latest delivery occurring this Wednesday.
Tensions escalated earlier in March when Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz issued a warning regarding military action in response to incidents involving government-linked forces and Druze fighters near Damascus. Katz emphasized Israel’s commitment to protecting the Druze, but local Druze leaders have expressed loyalty to a unified Syria, rejecting the implication of outside intervention.
The Druze community, careful not to engage heavily in Syria’s civil conflict, has focused on safeguarding their territory while negotiating a potential integration of their armed groups into Syria’s national security forces with the current administration.
The recent pilgrimage of Syrian Druze clerics to Israel marks a significant moment in inter-community relations, as it represents the first such visit in over seven decades. Despite facing opposition from within their ranks in Syria, this delegation underscores the complexities surrounding identity and faith among the Druze. Amidst ongoing tensions and humanitarian gestures, the Druze community remains engaged in dialogue with various stakeholders for their future amidst a constantly evolving political landscape.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
