The leadership of Israel's Druze community, headed by spiritual leader Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif, issued a dramatic appeal on Wednesday calling on the Israeli government to take immediate action in response to events unfolding in southern Syria, where Druze residents are reportedly being massacred. "Women, children and the elderly are being slaughtered in cold blood while Israel stands by," read an official statement released by the community.
The message, signed by Tarif, paints a picture of acute crisis on Jabal al-Druze (Mountain of the Druze) and includes strong criticism of the Israeli government and military for their inaction. "Despite explicit commitments, no meaningful steps are being taken to halt the killings," the statement said.
Video: Regime soldiers in Syria shave the mustache of a Druze community elder /// Arab networks
The Druze leadership warned that the long-standing "blood alliance" between their community and the State of Israel is now at a breaking point. For over two years, Druze citizens have served at the front lines of Israel's battles against its enemies, the statement continued, calling on the government to take unequivocal action to protect their relatives across the border.
In response to the violence in Syria, Druze leaders have declared a general strike and national days of mourning. They also issued an extraordinary directive: to prepare for the possibility of crossing the Israeli border into Syria to protect fellow Druze.
"The community's leadership calls on all Druze citizens to prepare by all necessary means to cross the border and assist our brothers being slaughtered in Syria," the statement read.
The leaders said they had formally appealed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog, and senior defense officials, urging them to authorize immediate Israeli airstrikes against the forces responsible for the attacks in southern Syria. "Failure to act will dangerously deepen the rift between our community and the State of Israel," they warned.
The statement ended with a stark message: "Silence and inaction are no longer an option."
