Druze in Israel Call for Strike and Prepare to Cross Border into Southern Syria

The leadership of the Druze community in Israel issued an official statement on Wednesday, calling on all members of the community to prepare by all possible means to cross the border with the aim of "helping the slaughtered brethren in Syria."

The Druze leaders in Israel announced a general strike and days of anger, calling for a collective ascent to the Golan Heights in protest against the events in Sweida, where dozens of civilians were killed amid ongoing clashes, Syrian army attacks, and Israeli airstrikes on government forces in southern Syria.

The leader of the Druze community in Israel, Mowafaq Tarif, said he spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his defense minister, urging them to increase attacks in Sweida, criticizing Syrian President Ahmed al-Shara.

In an interview with the Hebrew website Ynet, Sheikh Tarif referred to the Syrian president, saying: "Has he changed just because he put on a tie and a jacket? No. He is still a killer, still enthusiastic, and still ISIS, the same as before," according to his description.

He added: "We spoke yesterday with the prime minister and defense minister. We continue the dialogue. I hope we increase the attacks."

Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz said on Wednesday that the Syrian regime must release the Druze in Sweida and withdraw its forces.

He added: "As we have made clear and warned, Israel will not abandon the Druze in Syria, and will implement the disarmament policy we have decided upon."

Katz emphasized that "the Israeli army will continue to attack regime forces until their withdrawal from the area, and will soon escalate the response level if the message is not understood."

Dozens of Druze citizens from Israel crossed the border into southern Syria yesterday, Tuesday, in the Majdal Shams area in the Golan Heights, following reports of Syrian regime forces entering the city of Sweida.

According to Israeli sources, the number of those who breached the border fence ranged between 20 and 30 people, and immediately after the incident, Israeli soldiers were present in the area but decided not to intervene initially. Later on, most of those who crossed the border were returned to Israeli territory by Israeli forces.