Syrian Druze Divided Over Israel Solidarity Rally
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS Arabic by baba
A rally in Syria's Suwayda province expressing solidarity with Israel has sparked a fierce debate, with supporters citing humanitarian concerns and opponents denouncing it as an attempt to involve the Druze in external agendas. Ayser Al-Wali, head of the World Druze Organization, called for self-determination, while analyst Abdullah Al-Hamad accused organizers of being outlaws and stressed Suwayda's national integration. The events unfold amid wider political and security mediations in southern Syria.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- A rally in Syria's Suwayda province expressed solidarity with Israel, featuring Israeli flags and Netanyahu images.
- Ayser Al-Wali of the World Druze Organization supported the rally as a stand against terrorism and for self-determination.
- Analyst Abdullah Al-Hamad condemned the rally, calling organizers outlaws and stressing Suwayda's Syrian national identity.
- Supporters called for an internationally supervised referendum on self-determination for the region.
- Critics claimed the rally aimed to serve Israeli government agendas and isolate the Druze community.
- The events occur amidst ongoing political and security mediation efforts in southern Syria.
A recent rally in Syria's Suwayda province expressing solidarity with Israel, marked by participants waving Israeli flags and displaying images of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has ignited a sharp debate among regional and local actors. The event, coinciding with the anniversary of the October 7th attacks, drew polarized reactions, ranging from strong support to outright condemnation.
Ayser Al-Wali, head of the World Druze Organization based in Paris, stated during a television appearance that the gathering was a show of solidarity from Suwayda's residents with Israel against "terrorism and massacres." He emphasized a shared sense of "pain and terrorism" and expressed gratitude for Israel's support of the Druze. Al-Wali also indicated that the local population fully backs spiritual and military leader Sheikh Hekmat Al-Hijri and the "National Guard" in their pursuit of self-determination and independence, calling for an internationally supervised referendum to ascertain the region's true aspirations.
Conversely, Abdullah Al-Hamad, a Damascus-based writer and political analyst, vehemently criticized the rally's organizers, labeling them "outlaw gangs and groups." He argued that displaying Israeli flags was an attempt to drag the Druze community into conflict with its Arab and Syrian neighbors to serve the agendas of Israel's "extremist right-wing government." Al-Hamad asserted that prominent figures and academics from Suwayda are in continuous contact with the Syrian state and regional parties to resolve the crisis and reintegrate Suwayda nationally. He predicted the movement's demise, citing ongoing international and regional security measures to maintain stability in southern Syria and combat crime, affirming Suwayda's integral status within Syria.
These debates and actions occur amidst ongoing security and political mediation efforts in southern Syria, as tensions rise over the region's political future and the roles of various international and regional powers.
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