“Their Blood Is Our Blood”: Rabbi Eliyahu Urges Israel to Defend Syria’s Druze
Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu urged Israel to protect Syria’s Druze from violent attacks in As-Suwayda, citing moral duties and their longstanding alliance with Israel. He praised IDF strikes on Syrian regime targets and condemned the humiliation of Druze civilians by al-Julani’s forces.
Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu, the Chief Rabbi of Tzfat and a leading religious Zionist figure, called on Israel to defend Syria’s Druze community amid escalating violence in As-Sweida, where over 250 have been killed since July 13. Emphasizing a moral and historical imperative, he stated, “The Torah teaches us that all humans are created in the image of God. Disrespecting people and humiliating them contradicts the values of the Torah. Disrespecting their blood goes against the most basic values that God has instilled in us and the entire world.”
Highlighting the Druze’s contributions to Israel, he added, “The Druze community has been defending Israel since the founding of the state, at great personal risk. The Torah tells us of the special bonds between the people of Israel and Yitro, the father-in-law of Moses, over three thousand years ago, and also of Yael, who defended the people of Israel in times of trouble.”
Rabbi Eliyahu condemned the attacks by forces under Ahmad al-Sharaa (al-Julani), saying, “In this difficult time, when forces of darkness and evil are abusing the Druze community in Syria, we must stand by their side and assist them.” He praised Israel’s response, noting, “We support the Israeli government, which has warned the Syrian governor not to allow his forces to abuse the Druze. We also support the IDF, which is striking Syrian forces who are oppressing the Druze.” He stressed, “It is our duty to stand firm against those attacking the Druze community, which has forged a blood alliance with us.”
Disturbing footage showed al-Julani’s fighters humiliating Druze sheikhs by forcibly shaving their mustaches, a cultural insult. Syrian regime forces have since retaken Suwayda, raiding homes and deploying tanks. The Israeli Air Force struck Syrian targets, including armored vehicles and weapons depots en route to Suwayda, to curb the violence. Social media posts on X echoed Rabbi Eliyahu’s call, with one user stating, “Israel’s Druze alliance demands action against Syrian brutality.” Israel’s 143,000 Druze citizens, many serving in the IDF, underscore this historic bond amid ongoing regional tensions.