Druze, Syria and Israel

Dozens of Syrian Druze make a rare visit to Israeli-controlled Golan Heights
Over half of the roughly 1 million Druze worldwide live in Syria. Most other Druze live in Lebanon and Israel and the Golan Heights, a rocky plateau seized from Syria by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war. Israel’s 1981 annexation of the area is recognized only by the United States, with the rest of the world considering it occupied Syrian territory.
Three buses carrying Druze from Syria cross into Israeli-controlled area of the Golan Heights
The visit comes as Israel says it is supporting the minority in a country now ruled by Islamists. But many Druze have rejected its overtures, and critics accuse Israel of trying to weaken and divide Syria following the overthrow of President Bashar Assad.
First Druze crossing in 50 years as Israel courts allies in Syria
It's the first time in five decades that Druze leaders have crossed from Syria into Israeli-controlled territory to visit Druze religious sites and communities here. The buffer zo
Group of senior Syrian Druze expected to visit Golan Heights
Defense Minister Israel Katz said Druze from across the separation line would be allowed to enter the Golan Heights for work.
Israel says it will let Syrian Druze workers cross into Golan Heights
The Golan Heights is home to 24,000 Druze, an Arab minority who practice an offshoot of Islam and also live in Israel, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria.
Katz says Israel will soon allow Syrian Druze to work in the Golan Heights
Announcement comes as Israeli politicians lambast Syrian transitional government for reported mass killings, urge European states to 'wake up' and stop granting regime legitimacy
Syrian Druze allowed to enter Israel, work in Golan Heights, Katz confirms
The Syrian Druze were a minority in the Assad era who mostly kept to themselves, with some past positive history with Israel.
Druze religious elders from Syria make historic visit to Israel
A delegation of Druze religious elders from Syria crossed into Israel on Friday for the first such visit in more than 50 years, underscoring Israel's backing for the community amid growing tensions with the new government in Damascus.
Syrian Druse Pilgrims Enter Israel in a Historic Visit
Syrian Druse pilgrims entered Israel from Syria in a rare visit to a shrine, and were welcomed by the local Druse community.
Druze sheikhs arrive in Israel from Syria in historic visit to prophet's shrine
The Druze sheikhs arrived via buses to the border gate, where they were by their Druze brethren living in Israel.
Group of senior Syrian Druze expected to visit Israeli-occupied Golan Heights
A group of around 100 senior figures from Syria's Druze are expected to visit the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights on Friday, members of the community said, in a further sign of Israel's support for the minority group.
Devdiscourse1d
Historic Druze Pilgrimage: Crossing Borders After Decades
In a historic moment, dozens of Syrian Druze clerics crossed into Israel for their first pilgrimage since 1948. They were set ...
Israel sends humanitarian aid to Druze in Syria, foreign ministry says
Israel has sent humanitarian aid to Druze communities in Syria over the past few weeks, its foreign ministry said on Thursday ...
The Times of Israel10h
Woman lightly hurt by celebratory gunfire as Syrian Druze visit nearby tomb in Israel
A woman was lightly injured by celebratory gunfire on Friday night as dozens of Syrian Druze clerics visited a revered shrine ...