For the first time in decades, Syrian Druze clergy travel to Israel for pilgrimage

NORTHERN ISRAEL — In an unprecedented event, Druze clerics who crossed from Syria, were welcome by hundreds of members of the Israeli Druze community at the Nabi Shuaib shrine compound, in northern Israel to conduct their community’s first pilgrimage since 1948. Traveling in 3 vehicles escorted by Israeli military vehicles, the clerics passed through the village of Majdal Shams in the Golan to northern Israel. 

The delegation, consisting of approximately 60 clerics, is expected to meet with the spiritual leader of the Druze community in Israel Sheikh Muwafaq Tarif. They will also visit the tomb of the Prophet Shuaib in the Galilee, the most significant religious site for the Druze. 

A source close to the delegation stated that the visit was held at the invitation of the Druze community in Israel.  

However, it faced strong opposition from other members of the Druze community in Syria. Sheikh of Druze community in Syria Yusef al-Jarbou emphasized that the Druze delegation’s visit to Israel was merely religious. In an interview with Sky News Arabia, Jarbou noted that some groups in Sweida were dissatisfied with the visit and warned against its potential exploitation for political purposes, which could harm the interests of the Druze community and Syria. 

He also criticized recent statements by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of attempting to portray the Druze community as normalizing relations with Israel. Jarbou stressed that such accusations are unfounded and reaffirmed the Druze community’s commitment to their Syrian identity.