Netanyahu’s Emotional Vow: Israel Stands with Druze in Syria Crisis

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the Druze community in Julis, northern Israel, meeting with spiritual leader Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif, Druze elders, and the family of fallen IDF officer Capt. Amir Abdallah Saad, 21, who died fighting in Gaza. Addressing the crisis facing Druze communities in Syria amid escalating violence, Netanyahu was deeply moved by Tarif’s words: “The Jews in the Holocaust cried for help, and no one came.” He responded, “It was an arrow to my heart. We are brothers; will Israel not reach out to save our Druze brothers? And we acted. When I understood the scale of the disaster, we acted immediately.”

Netanyahu toured a civilian command center at Tarif’s residence, established to monitor the situation of Druze in Syria’s Suweida province, where over 300,000 Druze face threats from rebel groups following the collapse of the Assad regime, per UN reports. He expressed condolences to Saad’s family, praising Amir’s “supreme bravery” in defending Israel. Emphasizing a proactive stance, Netanyahu said, “I’m not a naive person. I understand who and what we’re dealing with.” He aligned his approach with U.S. President Donald Trump, stating, “We both believe in peace through strength. Strength comes first, then peace will follow. That’s how it is, certainly in our region.”

Israel’s efforts focus on three goals: protecting Druze communities in Suweida and beyond, establishing a demilitarized zone from Damascus to Suweida, and creating a humanitarian corridor for food, building materials, and medical aid. “These discussions are happening right now, at this very moment,” Netanyahu stressed. Accompanying him were Tzachi Braverman, Acting Director-General of the Prime Minister’s Office Drorit Steinmetz, and Military Secretary Maj. Gen. Roman Gofman.