'unprecedented" plan: Israel to allow Druze from Syria to work in Israel
"We will soon allow Druze workers from Syria to come and work in towns in the Golan Heights," Katz said, emphasizing that the government is now approving an "unprecedented" aid plan for the Druze and Circassian communities in Israel, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
Katz praised the Druze for their "loyalty, courage, and contributions to Israel's security during critical times," vowing that Israel would continue to support them and protect their 'brothers' in Syria from any threats.
An estimated 700,000-800,000 Druze live in Syria, mostly in southwestern areas near Israel and Jordan.
On Saturday, the defense minister stated that Israel would work to keep southern Syria free of weapons and threats, pledging to protect the Druze population in the region. "Anyone who harms them will face our response," he warned.
Katz's remarks coincide with the ongoing bloodshed in the country's western coastal region since Thursday, which has resulted in over 830 civilian deaths. He warned against escalating violence, accusing "al-Julani's group," affiliated with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), of committing a "massacre" against Alawite residents in the area, referring to Syria's transitional President, Ahmad Al-Sharaa.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Rudaw Net
4 hours ago
- Rudaw Net
Bedouin, Druze clashes kill 21, injure dozens in south Syria: War monitor
Also in Syria Rojava administration reiterates call for 'decentralized' Syria, constitutional overhaul Rojava ruling party rejects Damascus 'integration' as bid to 'dismantle' institutions Rojava official says concerned about hate speech, treason accusations after US envoy remarks Washington prioritizing unified Syria, not Kurdish autonomy: Former US diplomat A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - At least 21 people, including two children, have been killed and around 50 others injured in armed clashes between Bedouin tribes and members of the Druze community in Syria's southern Suwayda province, a war monitor reported on Sunday. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) relayed that 'the death toll from armed confrontations and mutual shelling in the al-Maqous neighborhood, east of Suwayda city, and other areas in the province has risen to 21, including two children' Among the fatalities are 17 members of the Druze community and four Bedouin tribesmen, all from Suwayda province, SOHR added. The monitor also noted that 'approximately 50 people have been injured, some of them critically, including children.' SOHR warned of the potential for further escalation, stating that 'dozens of [Druze] fighters from the Hauran region arrived in vehicles to back their kin.' Meanwhile, Suwayda24, a local outlet focused on southern Syria's Druze-majority province, on Sunday cited local security officials as the violence to 'a recent robbery on the Damascus-Suwayda road, which targeted a businessman,' sparking a series of retaliatory kidnappings between the two communities. Suwayda Governor Mustapha al-Bakkour has appealed for calm, urging all parties to "exercise self-restraint and respond to national calls for reform." Several Druze spiritual leaders have echoed these calls, demanding de-escalation and intervention from Damascus to restore order. The state-run Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported on Sunday that internal security forces from neighboring Daraa province launched an "organized security deployment along the administrative borders' with Suwayda. The move aims to 'prevent the violence from spreading and to contain any fallout that could impact stability, especially in eastern rural Daraa.' Amid the violence, Syria's education ministry announced the postponement of Monday's secondary certificate exams in Suwayda, citing 'concerns for the safety of students and staff.' A new date will be set later, the ministry added. The current hostilities mark the most significant outbreak of deadly violence in Suwayda since earlier this year, when clashes between Druze groups and Damascus-affiliated security forces resulted in dozens of casualties. While local leaders are reportedly attempting to mediate the current situation, no official intervention has yet been announced.
Shafaq News
6 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Syria's Sweida fighting leaves over 60 casualties
Shafaq News – Damascus At least 60 people were killed or wounded in armed clashes between Druze fighters and Bedouin tribesmen in Syria's southern Sweida province, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported on Sunday. The violence erupted in al-Muqawwas neighborhood and spread to nearby areas as both sides exchanged gunfire and shelling. The Observatory confirmed that 17 Druze and 4 Bedouins were dead, while 50 others—including children and several in critical condition—were injured. #المرصد_السوري نزوح جماعي واشتباكات واسـ ـتـ ـهداف بلدات في تصعيد أمـ ـنـ ـي خطير في #السويداء.. وارتفاع عدد القـ ـتـ ـلى إلى 21 شخصا — المرصد السوري لحقوق الإنسان (@syriahr) July 13, 2025 Stemming from a spiral of retaliation, the escalation began after armed tribesmen allegedly beat, robbed, and abandoned a Druze youth near al-Masmiyya. In response, Druze fighters abducted tribal members, prompting counter-seizures and a blockade of the Damascus–Sweida highway. Similar clashes in April and May between Druze groups and security forces left dozens dead and led to de-escalation agreements aimed at integrating local fighters into state structures. In a separate incident in Damascus, unidentified gunmen on a motorcycle fatally shot a 60-year-old man from the Alawite community—the sect to which ousted President Bashar al-Assad belongs. #المرصد_السوري برصاص مسلحين.. مقـ ـتل سائق سيارة في العاصمة #دمشق — المرصد السوري لحقوق الإنسان (@syriahr) July 13, 2025 According to SOHR, at least 857 people—813 men, 29 women, and 15 children—have been killed across Syria since the start of 2025 in sectarian-driven assassinations.
Rudaw Net
6 hours ago
- Rudaw Net
Rojava official says concerned about hate speech, treason accusations after US envoy remarks
Also in Syria Rojava administration reiterates call for 'decentralized' Syria, constitutional overhaul Rojava ruling party rejects Damascus 'integration' as bid to 'dismantle' institutions Washington prioritizing unified Syria, not Kurdish autonomy: Former US diplomat Syrian, Israeli officials meet in Baku: Sources A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A senior Kurdish-led northeast Syria (Rojava) administration official on Sunday thanked the US and France for backing Syria's political process but voiced concern over hate speech and treason accusations after Washington's envoy criticized Kurdish-led forces for slow integration and rejected federalism. 'We appreciate the continued support of United States and France for a political solution in Syria, and their contribution to bringing Syrians together. However, we view with concern the escalation of hate speech and accusations of treason by official bodies,' Elham Ahmad, foreign relations co-chair of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES), said on X. On Wednesday, US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack told Rudaw that the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) has been 'slow' in negotiating with the Syrian government, asserting that federalism in Syria 'doesn't work.' 'There is only one road, and that road is to Damascus,' Barrack said. Ahmad did not explicitly refer to Barrack's remarks, but the comments have sparked outrage among Kurds on social media. 'We count on a constructive role that strengthens dialogue, not weakens it,' she said. The Damascus administration also issued a statement rejecting federalism and calling on the SDF to integrate into state institutions following the US envoy's remarks. The SDF is the de facto army of Rojava - the Kurdish-controlled northeast region of Syria. During the civil war, Kurds established an autonomous administration, carving out large swathes of territory ceded by former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad. Since the fall of the Assad regime, they have been in talks with the interim government in Damascus to integrate into national institutions, including the armed forces. Kurds are also concerned about the centralization of power and the prominence of Islamic law in the transitional constitution adopted by Syria's interim government. They have called for federalism and repeatedly denied that they seek to divide the country. In March, SDF commander Mazloum Abdi signed a deal with interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to integrate Rojava's civil and military institutions into those of the state. The two sides have continued discussions to implement the agreement.
