Syrian Druze leader says community is ‘inseparable part of Israel,’ hints at developments in Sweida

Hikmat al-Hijri, a spiritual leader of Syria's Druze community, stated on August 25 that the Druze are an “inseparable part of the State of Israel,” highlighting common ground and praising Israel's state-building. He also hinted at impending developments for Sweida province “within days.” These remarks escalate his rhetoric amid ongoing tensions between his aligned forces in Sweida and the Syrian government, and follow his previous calls for self-determination and potential international protection or affiliation with another state for Sweida. Al-Hijri emphasized the need for international involvement to resolve the situation in Sweida, despite conflicting reports on direct negotiations with Damascus. His comments gain significance as they follow a US-mediated Syrian-Israeli meeting in Jordan and amid increasing Israeli involvement in protecting the Syrian Druze, with Israel having intervened militarily in July 2025 during clashes in Sweida.