Trapped by Borders: Israeli Alawites Watch Loved Ones Burn in Syria
Israeli Alawites in Ghajar village face emotional turmoil as they witness their relatives and community members in Syria endure escalating jihadist attacks, separated by borders.
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In the small Israeli village of Ghajar, life feels peaceful for the Alawites, but a tragedy remains in its citizens hearts and minds. Just across the border in Syria, jihadist attacks have intensified, yet the Alawite Israeli residents are powerless to intervene.
“Imagine jihadists attacking your family just an hour away, and you can’t do anything to help,” one local explained. “You’re safe, but you’re stuck.”
Ghajar is the only place in Israel where the Alawite community lives, far away from the mountainous regions of Syria where most Alawites reside. These remote areas have historically served as a refuge from extremist groups that seek to eliminate anyone who is different. But earlier this year, that sense of security was shattered again, years after the 2010 tragedy, as Alawite communities in Syria became the latest victims of a massive jihadist assault.
For those in Ghajar, the violence is not just a distant headline, it is intensely personal. Cousins, grandparents, childhood homes, and entire neighborhoods lie across the border, crying out for help they cannot provide.
“Syria is our origin, it’s our roots, our blood,” one resident said. “Personally, it breaks my heart.”
The war has cast a long shadow over daily life.
“We all had some pretty tough days. The war is not easy. We were worried about them before, in 2010, and now even more so,” the community member added. Their pain extends beyond their own people: “I’m in pain, not just for my people, I’m in pain for everyone. Let us live, we are human beings. But they’re over there, and I’m here.”
Despite the constant tension, hope persists. The Alawites of Ghajar envision a future of safety and coexistence. In the village’s peace garden, visitors encounter symbols of harmony: a menorah, the quran, and Alawite swords stand together, a small yet powerful reminder that peace is possible. For Ghajar’s Alawites, these statues are more than art, they are a blueprint for a future where borders no longer dictate who matters, and where all can live in security.