Israel Says Syrian Druze Permitted to Work in Golan Heights

Latest Developments

Defense Minister Invites Syrian Druze to Work in Israel: Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on March 9 that Israel would permit Syrian Druze to work in the country’s northern communities. “We will soon allow Druze laborers from Syria to come to work in the Golan Heights Communities in Israel,” Katz said. The announcement came months after the IDF moved its forces into the Syrian Buffer Zone and captured the Syrian Mount Hermon following the fall of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.
Israeli Pledge to Protect Druze in Syria After Assad Ouster: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said earlier this month that he instructed the IDF to “prepare to defend” the Druze suburb of Jaramana on the outskirts of Damascus after transitional Syrian government forces raided the city. Katz separately added that Israel would not allow Syria’s extremist Islamic regime to harm the Druze.
Reports of Druze Integration: Syria’s new government, led by transitional president Ahmad al-Sharaa, reportedly reached a deal on March 11 with Druze leaders in al-Suwayda to reintegrate the province into a Syrian state. According to reports, 300 security personnel will be deployed to al-Suwayda and 600 local residents will join the Syrian police force. Reports of the agreement emerged after the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces signed an agreement with the Syrian state to merge with the Syrian military and place specific Kurdish areas under the control of al-Sharaa’s transitional government.

FDD Expert Response

“Israel opening its borders to Syrian Druze workers is a mistake. Israel will expose itself to unnecessary security and intelligence-gathering risks by admitting workers from a foreign country controlled by potentially hostile authorities where agents of Iran likely continue to operate. It was precisely such a move that allowed Hamas to gather intelligence on the Israeli communities along the border with Gaza.” — David Daoud, Senior Fellow

“Many Syrian Druze face economic hardship due to Syria’s deteriorating economy. While Israel’s decision to allow workers in the Golan may offer relief, many still refuse aid from IDF troops in southern Syria and will object to working in the Golan Heights, viewing it as recognition of Israeli control and a betrayal of their loyalty to Syria.” — Ahmad Sharawi, Research Analyst