Despite fires raging throughout Israel, the IDF remains diligent and active in Gaza, Lebanon, and Judea and Samaria. All represent threats to Israel’s existence and wellbeing.

But if that isn’t enough, Israel is involved in a different mission right now in Syria. On the southeastern outskirts are settlements of Druze, many of whom have relatives who live in Israel. The Druze community is very unique, and they are fierce warriors. Many of them serve valiantly (and in leadership positions) with the IDF.

But who are the Druze? They are Arabic-speaking people living primarily in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Israel, but adhering to their own faith. They describe themselves as monotheists whose faith is in Abraham. They are neither Jews nor Muslims, but have strong beliefs in reincarnation and the unity of God. They are known to be very loyal people, both within their community and in service to the IDF. Some hold high-ranking positions in Israel’s military.

A significant number make their homes near the Israeli-Syrian border and it is not unusual for family members to live on opposite sides of the border. Damascus is roughly 135 miles from the Israeli border and another significant population of Druze live in settlements south of the Syrian capital.

Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad in Syria, sectarian violence has increased. In the midst of Sunni-Alawite conflict, clashes have erupted against the smaller Druze community. But they have a friend on the battlefield. According to Israeli officials:

“Especially on Memorial Day for the Fallen of Israel’s Wars, on which we honor the great contribution of the Druze community to the security of Israel and the memory of the Druze fallen who gave their lives to defend the State of Israel, we ascribe great importance to realizing our obligation to the Druze community in Israel and to defend their brothers in Syria. Israel will not allow the Druze community in Syria to be harmed given the deep commitment to our Druze brothers in Israel, who are bound by family ties and history to their Druze brothers in Syria.” 

Thus, despite taking on enemies from all sides and fighting fires intentionally started by terrorists, Israel is committed to defend their faithful Druze citizens and their families. Israel knows who her friends are and no nation defends their friends like Israel!

For those who traveled with us on the November 2019 EXPERIENCE ISRAEL TOUR, you might recall a very interesting roadside lunch stop we made near Mt Carmel. A wonderfully welcoming Druze man prepared lunch for us right there on the side of the road! What a memory! (At other times, our groups have stopped at a Druze restaurant in the area. No one gets left out of the Druze experience!)

Finally, you may remember a sad incident in the northern Israeli city of Majdal Shams last July when rockets from Lebanon hit a Druze soccer field, killing 12 children. It was a tragic blow to the Druze community.

Pray for the safety of the Druze people, particularly near Damascus where they are under fire. Pray also for their Druze brethren who have made the trek north to help defend those in Syria, and for the IDF as they provide air cover and defense of the Druze communities.