Israeli official says no interest in establishing Druze state in Syria
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – An Israeli official said on Tuesday that Israel’s support for the Druze community in southern Syria is “carefully calculated” and does not extend to backing the establishment of an independent Druze state, according to remarks cited by The Washington Post.
The comments were included in a report by the newspaper that compiled several statements from Israeli officials addressing Israel’s approach toward the Druze population in southern Syria, particularly in Suwayda governorate.
“The Israeli support for the Druze in southern Syria is carefully calculated, and Israel has no interest in establishing a Druze state there,” the official said, as quoted by The Washington Post. The official added that “arms shipments were sent to help the Druze when it was necessary,” stressing that Israel remains “committed to the security of minorities” but does not intend to deploy special forces alongside Druze groups or engage in organizing proxy militias.
The official explained that supporting an independent Druze state would impose additional security obligations on Israel. “Supporting an independent Druze state would mean that Israel would have to defend residents who live 100 kilometers away from its borders,” the official said, adding that “the U.S. administration strongly supports reaching an agreement with the Syrian state.”
The newspaper also quoted another Israeli government official as saying that, following the October 7 attacks, Israel is determined “to defend our communities along our borders, including the northern border, prevent the entrenchment of terrorism and hostile activities against us, protect our Druze allies, and ensure that the State of Israel remains safe from any ground or other attacks from border areas.”
An Israeli government adviser echoed similar remarks, stating that backing the creation of an independent Druze state would again require Israel to defend populations far from its borders. “If we have an interest here, it is not the establishment of an independent state,” the adviser said.
According to the report, another Israeli official said Israel would continue to push for what was described as “institutional autonomy” for Druze communities. The official noted that aid shipments from Israel are “still ongoing but are smaller in scale and less frequent.”
The statements cited by The Washington Post come amid broader regional tensions and ongoing international discussions over Syria’s future governance and security arrangements