Israel Seeking Help for Syrian Druze, But Military Intervention Unlikely

The Syrian war keeps getting closer. Israel seeking to help Druze in nearby Syria. Photo: Signpost showing distance between Israel, Syria. Illustrative. By Joshua Spurlock

The Syrian war keeps getting closer to home. Israel seeking to help Druze in nearby Syria. Photo: Signpost showing distance between Israel, Syria. Illustrative. By Joshua Spurlock

The Israelis are working to assist a group inside the territory of one of Israel’s most dangerous enemies, as an ethnic and moral connection that goes beyond politics is creating this unusual alliance. Walla! News has reported that Israel is concerned about a possible “massacre” of the Druze minority by Islamic extremist groups in Syria, and has therefore begun discussions about establishing a zone for humanitarian aid inside Syria for the Druze.

Walla said Israel is talking with the International Red Cross, the United Nations and others on the plan. The report cited a political source saying Israel, as survivors of the Holocaust, has “no intention” of ignoring the threat of a “massacre” of the Druze. There is also a notable Druze minority population in Israel. Details of the assistance were unclear. Haaretz reported on Friday that Israel would not get involved militarily, lest that entangle them in Syria’s ongoing civil war.

There is a notable Druze minority population in Israel, members of which have asked Israel for help, according to Haaretz.

The Druze have also called upon the United States for assistance, according to a Live Blog post from The Times of Israel. The leader of Israel’s Druze, Sheikh Moafaq Tarif, was cited by The Times of Israel as telling Israel Radio they reached out to the US as they are running coalition attacks on Islamic extremist groups in Syria.

The Syrian civil war has long involved radical groups, as the war splintered into a battle between the regime, moderate rebels, and extremists such as Al-Nusra and ISIS (ISIL).

(By Joshua Spurlock, www.themideastupdate.com, June 14, 2015)

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