Historic Pilgrimage: Syrian Druse Make Rare Visit to Israel

Approximately 100 Syrian Druse pilgrims recently visited Israel for a pilgrimage to a revered shrine, representing a rare moment of connection between the two communities amid ongoing tensions and Israel's ambitions to expand its influence following the Assad regime's collapse.

A group of around 100 Syrian Druse pilgrims made a historic journey to Israel over the weekend, participating in a sacred pilgrimage to a shrine—an event notable for its rarity given the longstanding hostilities between Israel and Syria. The visit comes at a time when Israel is seeking to expand its influence in southern Syria amidst changing political dynamics following the fall of Bashar al-Assad.

The Druse community, an Arabic-speaking religious minority, is dispersed across various regions including Israel and Syria. Despite the formal state of war between the two nations, this recent pilgrimage was facilitated by Sheikh Muwafaq Tarif, a prominent Druse leader in Israel. The pilgrims arrived in a convoy from Syrian territory on Friday, visiting significant religious sites such as the Tomb of the Prophet Shuaib in northern Galilee—a deeply cherished location in Druse faith.

Sheikh Tarif expressed profound joy at the reunion, sharing that many of the visitors were previously known only through phone calls due to the travel restrictions that had kept them apart for decades. In Israel, the Druse population includes many who hold Israeli citizenship and actively serve in the military, fostering a complex relationship with the state.

However, the ongoing Israeli military actions in Syria, which aim to thwart the buildup of hostile forces near its borders, have ignited concerns among Syrians regarding a potential extended Israeli presence in their territory post-conflict. Despite these tensions, the pilgrimage symbolizes hope for renewed ties and coexistence between the divided communities.