Latest news with #MajdalShams
National Post
4 days ago
- Politics
- National Post
Vivian Bercovici: Yet another horror shakes the Mideast
Article content Horrified, hundreds of Druze from Majdal Shams — a city of 15,000 in the Golan Heights — crossed into Syria, unauthorized, of course. They were intent on defending their brethern under attack. The IDF was caught by surprise and urged these men to return to their homes. Article content Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to frustration from the White House by explaining that Israel was protecting its Druze citizens. Trump, reportedly, was unconvinced. Article content The Druze in Majdal have long been less than friendly towards Israel. Unlike the Druze living elsewhere in Israel, most inhabitants of Majdal refused to accept Israeli citizenship and ID cards, fearing that this would be seen as loyalty to the enemy by the Syrian government — and the backlash would be felt by their families there. Majdal Druze do not serve in the IDF, again, unlike most Israeli Druze. Article content But it has been a rough year for the Druze of Majdal Shams. Article content One year ago, on Saturday, July 27, 2024, the main soccer pitch in Majdal Shams was packed with families and young soccer players attending regular matches. Hezbollah shot a rocket, which slammed directly into the gathering. Twelve children and youth, aged 10 to 16, were murdered in that unprovoked attack. Forty-two were injured. The carnage devastated the town. Article content Article content Since the fall of the Assad government, long-standing tensions between the Bedouin and Druze in this part of Syria have erupted into violence periodically. The attack on Sweida, however, was of a different order of magnitude. Article content Multiple sources report a very sharp reaction from Trump, who was 'taken by surprise' when informed about the Israeli strikes in Syria. And, apparently, none too pleased. Article content Also last week, Tom Barrack, the U.S. special envoy for Syria, commented to media: 'We told the Israelis to stand down and take a breath.' Article content Almost immediately after the American anger was expressed, Israeli ground incursions were drawn down and peace talks between Israel and Syria resumed. Or so we were told. Article content White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Trump was 'caught off guard' by the Israeli military attacks in Syria and spoke with Netanyahu to 'rectify' the situation. Senior Trump administration officials have referred to Netanyahu in very harsh, derogatory terms as a leader who is incorrigible and focused solely on his political survival. Article content Article content In recent days all has gone quiet. Nothing. No information. No news. Article content No updates on the condition or whereabouts of the many female hostages taken by the Bedouin attackers. Article content However, Thursday was a very busy day in the region. U.S. Envoy Barrack met in Paris with Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs Asaad al-Shaibani. It is the first time in 25 years that senior Syrian and Israeli officials have met face to face. And according to Barrack, significant progress was made with respect to discussing terms of engagement in Syria and protection of the Druze. Article content Also on Thursday, Netanyahu met with the leading Druze Israeli cleric, Sheikh Muwaffaq Tarif. Israel is not budging from its position as prime protector of the Druze in the region. And he is clearly working to address America's alarm regarding the recent hostilities in Syria. Article content President Trump likes al-Julani/al-Sharaa. And he is keen to have him be a part of an economic alliance in the Middle East that will transform the region. Trump likes deals. Article content What he overlooks is al-Julani's long and deep terrorist past. The man led a loosely aligned group of fundamentalist militias to overthrow Assad. Whether he can coalesce them into a properly functioning government for all Syrians remains to be seen.
National Post
20-07-2025
- Politics
- National Post
'Our Oct. 7': Golan Druze mourn Syrian massacre and praise Israel's intervention
As millions of Israelis resumed routines and activities interrupted by the war with Iran, life ground to a halt last week in the Druze communities of the Golan Heights. Article content A massacre perpetrated on July 13, in which hundreds of Druze Syrians were reportedly murdered, has shaken Majdal Shams, a picturesque town that's home to most of the Golan's 20,000-odd Druze residents, many of whom have relatives across the border. Article content Article content Article content 'This is our Oct. 7,' Sari Halabi, whose home in Majdal Shams is situated 50 yards from the border fence, told JNS on July 17. 'Life froze. We keep watching the videos that the terrorists took of themselves butchering our families, feeling angry, anxious and completely destabilized.' Article content Article content Alongside the grief and shock that has struck this community, many here feel proud of and grateful for Israel's robust intervention to stop the massacres — on July 16, the Israel Air Force struck key regime targets in Damascus — and optimistic that the Druze of Syria and Israel would unite in the wake of the massacres. Article content Following the July 13 massacre in Sweida, a predominantly Druze city in southern Syria, hundreds of Druze living on the Israeli side of the border briefly crossed into Syria without permission out of concern for their families there, as dozens from that country entered Israel to seek safety and see relatives, though most were later returned. Article content Elsewhere in Israel, Druze citizens, of which Israel has about 150,000, declared a general strike, blocked roads and demonstrated, demanding Israel act to rescue their kin. The protest subsided after Israel struck Damascus on July 16, prompting the Syrian authorities to announce a ceasefire as security forces were deployed to Sweida to end the violent clashes. Article content Article content Article content Still, the unrest underlined the deep impact that events in Syria have on Israel's Druze community — a minority that has distinguished itself with loyalty to the Jewish state, including via active and meaningful military service. Article content Article content Despite the illegal border breach on July 15 and the protests, the Druze attachment to Syria 'is an asset to Israel, not a liability,' said Halabi, a 38-year-old father of three. Article content 'This attachment opens the path to many things, which I think the terrible massacre has brought closer, including a Druze autonomy fighting and flourishing alongside Israel' on the Syrian side of the border, he said. Article content This is because 'the massacre will help settle an internal debate within the Druze community in Syria, and it will lead to more support for autonomy and self-reliance,' said Halabi. Autonomy, he explained, means deepening the alliance with Israel, which is the only major power interested in a Druze-run buffer entity along its northeastern border.
LBCI
19-07-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Israeli army says dozens of Israelis crossed border into Syrian Druze village
The Israeli army said on Saturday that dozens of Israelis crossed the border into Syria toward Majdal Shams, a Druze village in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. It added that the Israelis acted violently toward Israeli forces as they attempted to disperse a gathering in the area overnight. Reuters
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Two Israelis arrested by police after returning from Syria with Kalashnikov rifles
This comes after Israeli Druze civilians crossed from Israel into Syria in solidarity with their brethren amid violent clashes with Damascus security forces, particularly in Sweida. Israel Police apprehended two Israeli citizens returning from Syrian territory who had a Kalashnikov rifle and a magazine in their possession, police confirmed on Thursday. During a check on Israeli civilians returning from Syria at the border, police searched two residents of north Israel, arresting them and transferring them for further interrogation. This comes after Israeli Druze civilians crossed from Israel into Syria in solidarity with their brethren amid violent clashes with Damascus security forces, particularly in the Syrian Druze town of Sweida. Israel Police, as well as IDF soldiers, were posted to the border fence, closing civilian crossings, and coordinated to return Israeli citizens who had entered Syria, the police added. An Israel Police officer gives a statement on the two Israeli citizens arrested for crossing from Syria with a Kalashnikov rifle, July 17, 2025. (credit: ISRAEL POLICE) The IDF identified dozens of suspects attempting to infiltrate Israeli territory from Syria, the military stated Wednesday. Dozens of civilians infiltrated Syria Additionally, dozens of Druze-Israeli civilians managed to infiltrate Syrian territory from the area of the Druze village of Majdal Shams in the North, the IDF confirmed on Tuesday.
ABC News
18-07-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Druze community, divided between Syria and Israel, has fleeting connection during conflict
The small towns in the northern tip of the Israeli occupied Golan Heights aren't usually susceptible to traffic jams. Clinging to the side of Mount Hermon, the narrow and winding streets of Majdal Shams can be challenging to navigate in quieter times. But on Wednesday night, it was clogged with cars, trucks and quad bikes, as the sounds of joyous celebrations echoed up and down the valley where the Druze village sits. The focal point was a gate, in a kilometres long razor wire-topped fence, which had been forced open earlier in the day by hundreds of members of the Druze community — a religious minority spread across Syria, Lebanon and Israel. For the first time in decades, Israeli Druze poured through the fence — first by foot, then by car. Syrian Druze made the opposite journey. Heartwarming family reunions decades in the making ensued for a number of hours, on both sides of the fence. As night fell, hundreds of people lined the streets cheering and chanting as groups returned through the gate. The fact the event occurred at all is notable. So too is the fact that Israeli authorities, known for their vice-like control of borders, allowed it to happen — and indeed stood and watched it play out. The fence was breached as Israel launched extensive air strikes across Syria. Many of the Druze who'd pushed their way through had done so trying to encourage Israel to go even further. Less than 24 hours later, as Israeli jets resumed their focus on Gaza instead of the country's northern neighbours, the gate was secured. Life was returning to normal. But the impact of the bombing raids across Syria was only just being realised. Through the noise and walls of the colourful Druze flags, Zeid Abu Jabal emerged from the area near the gate. He was beaming. "I met my brother from the other side from Sweida, from Jabal Arab, whom I have not seen for more than 50 years," he told the ABC. "The meeting took place here, when the young men went inside [Syria], there was an opportunity for my brother to cross [back into the Golan] with people he knows who came here from the other side. "There was food and drinks and we met them and we wanted them to stay with us, but unfortunately, we were informed that at 10pm they had to cross the border and go back to where they came from." It was hard for Zeid to hide his smile. But, his happiness was still tempered by fear and frustration. This reunion with his brother had only occurred because of violent clashes between the Druze and Bedouin communities over the border, and Israel's decision to get involved in the conflict. The clashes began last weekend when a Druze merchant was reportedly kidnapped, sparking more violence between the groups and triggering the Syrian government forces to deploy to the Sweida region in southern Syria. As of this morning the conflict's death toll had soared to nearly 600, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Zeid blamed the new Syrian leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa for the situation. "Al-Sharaa, more than once, found groups to strike our Druze brethren, and unfortunately this time was an attack on our honour and our elderly leaders, on our children and on our women," he said. "Al-Sharaa is one of the terror groups that is acting to exterminate the Druze in Sweida and Jabal Al-Arab. "If he had any peaceful intention, Syria would not have reached this situation, Assad before him was unjust towards his people, unfortunately what we see from Al-Sharaa is worse than what we saw from Assad." Proudly displaying the Druze flag, Wade Sabag said he had seen videos on social media showing the fighting in Syria. "I get so angry, and the feeling of that I can't do anything here because we are in different countries," he said. "It's so bad." It is that sentiment Israel tapped into when it launched its attacks inside Syria, insisting it was protecting the Syrian Druze in solidarity with its own Druze population. Benjamin Netanyahu's willingness to flex his country's military muscle has been clear for the world to see in recent times. While the war in Gaza stretched into its 21st month, Israel sparked a 12-day conflict with Iran. Israeli forces continue to strike inside Lebanon despite a ceasefire, repeatedly attacked Yemen's Houthi rebels, and have intensified their campaign against claimed militants in the occupied West Bank. As Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad's regime was toppled by Islamist rebel forces in December, Israel sent troops and tanks over the border into what was once the buffer zone along the border with the Golan Heights. It's since moved beyond that zone and attacked targets in Syria, including the Ministry of Defence in Damascus. Mr Netanyahu said it was in response to Syrian forces moving south of Damascus and "massacring Druze" in what was supposed to be a "demilitarised" area. "This was something we could not accept in any way," he said Mr Netanyahu said Israel's strikes had forced Syrian forces to retreat to Damascus. That's where Israel wants them to stay, and Mr Netanyahu has indicated he's prepared to use force again to ensure they do. "We will not allow Syrian army forces to enter the region south of Damascus," he said. "We have taken action, and we will continue to take action as necessary." Since the Israeli strikes, a ceasefire was negotiated and most fighting between Israeli and Syrian government forces has stopped. While Syrian government forces had mostly left the southern province of Sweida after days of clashes with Druze militias, the fighting hasn't fully ceased. According to Syrian state media, Druze militiamen have attacked Sunni Bedouin communities. A military commander for the Bedouin said their fighters had launched a new offensive in Sweida province against Druze fighters and that the truce there only applied to government forces, Reuters reported. The Druze in Israel are generally seen as supportive of the country. However, many of those in the Golan have closer ties to Syria. Long time Druze activist Salman Fakhreddin has been campaigning against Israeli occupation for decades, and has been jailed by Israeli authorities 13 times as a result. "A decade before [these attacks] the Druze were massacred [in Syria] and the Israelis didn't do anything," he said. "What motivates them, it is not human rights, it's hegemony and occupation." He described Israel as being locked in "an eternal crisis" — occupying land, but demanding peace at the same time. The allegations from Salman Fakhreddin tally with those coming from the new Syrian leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa — a man he has little positive to say about. The Islamist leader-turned-president has been talking up the prospects of uniting his country, even as concerns abound about the ideology of the forces he led to power and the risk they would target Syria's minority groups. In the seven months since he toppled dictator Bashar Al-Assad, there have been a number of deadly attacks — including against Alawites and, now, the Druze. "Open war with Israel at the expense of the Druze people and their security is destabilising Syria and the entire region," Al-Sharaa said in a televised speech overnight. "Israel resorted to extensive targeting of civilian and governmental facilities, to undermine efforts, which greatly complicated the situation, and pushed matters to a large-scale escalation. "If it weren't for the effective intervention of American, Arab and Turkish mediation, which saved the region from an unknown fate." The Syrian president's reference to the US in his comments was telling — not least because of the White House's influence over Israel's actions. Just weeks ago, it was Donald Trump who lifted crippling sanctions on Syria in a bid to help the country rebuild. That was a move pushed by Türkiye and Saudi Arabia. Mohammed Bin Salman, the Saudi Crown Prince, was the one to introduce the US president to Ahmed Al-Sharaa, while he visited Riyadh. "Young, attractive guy. Tough guy. Strong past. Very strong past. Fighter. He's got a real shot at pulling it together," President Trump told reporters after the meeting on Air Force One. The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio sought to downplay Israel's strikes this week by saying it was a "misunderstanding" with Syria. But the ramifications are significant. One of Donald Trump's major goals is the expansion of the Abraham Accords, the title of the program promoting normalisation of ties between Israel and Arab nations — relations that have traditionally been hostile The jewel in that foreign policy crown would be getting Saudi Arabia to sign on — a task that could become more difficult after Israel's strikes in Syria. So too any sort of normalisation with Syria, which had been mooted for weeks. For all the questioning of Israel's motives, the decision by the Netanyahu government and the IDF have support even amongst some of the prime minister's most staunch opponents. "We have a strong commitment to the Druze here in Israel, and therefore also for the Druzes in Lebanon and in Syria," Israeli leader of the Democrats Yair Golan told the ABC. "And in both unstable countries, we need to be in high awareness to what is happening there. "I think it came only too late, and the minute we understand that these people, our allies and our citizens, are under threat, we need to do something in order to secure them and in order prevent further massacres." A former government minister, and member of Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party, took that a step further. "One can not play the game with this ISIS guy called Al-Sharaa," Druze politician Ayoob Kara argued. "He is dressed up like Little Red Riding Hood, with a tie and his trimmed beard." The talk of the threat coming from Syria prompted Israeli forces to start erecting concrete barriers on Thursday, along the very fenceline they had watched Druze breach the day before. Siham Safadi was watching on. She had welcomed family from the Syrian side of the fence the day earlier, and was preparing to say goodbye. "This fence that has been established I understand it is for security but it has closed our heart," she told the ABC. "It has closed all Majdal Shams, all the Golan Heights, it causes us pain. "It's a cement wall, they have turned our hearts into cement."
