Syrian Druze: Navigating Autonomy Amid Israeli Threats
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s remarks suggest a goal to cultivate a strategic alliance with Syrian Druze to secure loyalty from Palestinian Druze. Sheikh Muwaffaq Tarif is cited as a key figure promoting this agenda, while recent conflicts and internal factions within the Druze community signal ongoing struggles for autonomy and self-governance. Historical resistance against foreign intervention and contemporary pressures reflect the complexity of Druze identity and political agency today.
Recent declarations by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding southern Syria indicate a strategic aim by Israel to cultivate a reliable ally among the Syrian Druze, primarily to maintain the allegiance of the Palestinian Druze, who are a significant segment of the Israeli border forces. These Palestinian Druze, while holding nominal Israeli citizenship, are guided by Sheikh Muwaffaq Tarif, a prominent Druze spiritual leader perceived as aligned with the Israeli agenda and actively engaging with various Arab nations, particularly those along the southern shores of the Persian Gulf.
Significantly, Sheikh Tarif has been implicated in controversy as investigations into Bishop Moussa al-Hajj of the Maronite Patriarchate revealed his financial transfers intended for Lebanese collaborators, highlighting Tarif’s role in encouraging separation within the Druze community. This undermining strategy is viewed as an effort by Israel to weaken the resistance movement historically embodied by Druze leader Samir al-Kuntar, who was assassinated in 2015, and had fostering support from Hezbollah.
Historically, the Druze community has resisted external attempts at control, notably during the 1925-1927 revolt against French occupation. Their subsequent participation in the fight for Syrian independence in 1947, led by Sultan Pasha al-Atrash, signifies a long-standing quest for autonomy. Post-1967, Israeli officials aimed to instigate dissent among the Druze against the Syrian regime, perceiving such efforts as detrimental to Arab unity against Israeli interests.
Currently, the Druze are reevaluating their position amid the disintegration of the Syrian state, particularly within the Sweida Governorate. Following the Assad regime’s weakening, Israel has purportedly intensified its influence in southern Syria under the guise of support for the Druze community. Recent clashes in the Jaramana neighborhood exemplify the escalating tensions between various factions, including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and Druze elements, underscoring the precarious situation for the Druze populace.
The Syrian Druze’s prior uprising against the Assad government reflects their aspirations for freedom, yet they now face systematic marginalization by the transitional government led by individuals like Abu Mohammad al-Julani. Their rejection of HTS presence without constitutional guarantees highlights their demand for complete autonomy, contrasting with HTS’s ideologies. Israel and the United States remain cognizant of the potential formation of a unified Druze bloc resistant to foreign manipulation, alongside concerns about Jordan potentially establishing a Druze border crossing in Sweida, enhancing economic ties among the Druze of Jordan and Syria.
In light of these developments, Druze leader Walid Jumblatt has actively sought engagement with al-Julani, illustrating his concerns regarding Israeli expansionism. Discussions with King Abdullah II of Jordan have reaffirmed fears of a potential Druze state, following violent events in Jaramana emphasizing the community’s urgency for self-governance. New factions, such as the Men of Dignity and the Sweida Military Council, reflect internal divisions yet assert the community’s desire for autonomy and protection.
Recent interactions between the Sweida Military Council and representatives from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) suggest an inclination towards a unified strategy should a transitional government be established, heralding a possible shift in the dynamics of power. Observers contend that Israeli intervention aligns with the promotion of separatist agendas within Syrian politics. Jumblatt acknowledges that any movement for Druze autonomy could reverberate adversely across Lebanon and the broader region.
In deliberations among Druze leaders, Jumblatt urged collective action to resist external pressures, stressing the importance of preserving Druze identity and loyalty to the broader Arab narrative. During a significant council meeting, concerns regarding the vulnerabilities faced by the Druze in the wake of the Zionist agenda were prominently discussed, underlining the necessity for solidarity among the Druze community in safeguarding their historical heritage and political agency.
The situation of the Syrian Druze is fraught with challenges as they navigate the complex political landscape influenced by external pressures, notably from Israel and internal factions. Their historical resistance to occupation, coupled with contemporary movements for autonomy, underscores a critical juncture for the community. The engagement of key leaders like Walid Jumblatt reflects a commitment to preserve Druze identity amidst threats, highlighting the importance of unity in addressing both regional dynamics and internal schisms. Their path forward is pivotal not only for their autonomy but also for regional stability.
Original Source: www.tehrantimes.com
