Syria's top Druze leader declares community integral to Israel

Sheikh al‑Aql Hikmat al‑Hijri addressed a gathering in the southern Syrian city of Suwayda on Saturday, publicly praising Israel’s model of state‑building and asserting that the Druze and Jewish communities share doctrinal “common denominators.” The remarks, delivered in a region with a historically close‑knit Druze population, marked a notable departure from the traditionally cautious stance of Syrian religious leaders toward Israel.

The declaration has intensified existing tensions between the Druze community and the Syrian government in Damascus, which has long viewed any commendation of Israel as a breach of national solidarity. Officials in the capital have condemned al‑Hijri’s comments, warning that they could exacerbate sectarian divisions and undermine the regime’s narrative of unity against external adversaries. The episode underscores the delicate balance of religious and political affiliations in Syria’s fragmented landscape.