Who Are the Druze and What Role Do They Play in Middle Eastern Politics?

The Druze are Arabic-speaking people who follow a religion that emerged in the 11th century as an offshoot of Islam, incorporating elements of various philosophical traditions. Their faith—about which adherents tend to remain discreet—is rooted in monotheism, belief in reincarnation, and the pursuit of spiritual truth. Some radical Sunni Muslims regard them as heretics.

On Thursday, Syria’s interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa—a former al-Qaeda member and now an Islamist leader—declared that the Druze are an integral part of Syrian society and pledged to protect their rights.

In Syria, the Druze primarily reside in the southwest—especially in Suwayda province, which borders Jordan—as well as in parts of Quneitra province near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. A small Druze community is also present in the Damascus suburb of Jaramana.

In Israel, most Druze live in the northern regions and in the occupied Golan. In Lebanon, they are concentrated in mountainous areas such as Chouf and Aley, as well as in southern districts like Hasbaya.

Despite their small numbers, the Druze have traditionally played a prominent role in the politics of the countries where they live.

In Israel, the Druze community numbers around 150,000. Unlike Palestinian Arabs, many Israeli Druze serve in the army and police, including in the Gaza operation. Some hold senior command positions, making their voices important to Israel’s political leadership.

Most Druze in Israel identify as Israeli citizens. However, more than 20,000 living in the occupied Golan Heights continue to consider themselves Syrian and maintain close ties with relatives across the border.

Amid calls from Israeli Druze to support their kin in Syria, Israeli officials have repeatedly cited the need to protect them as justification for this year's strikes on Syrian territory.

In Syria itself, the Druze population is estimated at around one million. After the war began in 2011, they staged limited protests against Bashar al-Assad’s regime, but avoided direct conflict with Damascus—whose forces were focused on suppressing uprisings in mostly Sunni regions.

Following Assad’s ouster in December, tensions between the Druze and the new Islamist leadership escalated into a series of armed clashes. While some Druze leaders called for dialogue with Damascus, others strongly opposed the new authorities. Among them was Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, who urged resistance and appealed to international leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

This stance, however, has sparked debate within the Druze community itself. One of the region’s most influential Druze politicians, Lebanon’s Walid Jumblatt, condemned the claim that Israel is protecting Syria’s Druze. He warned against calls for foreign intervention and emphasized the importance of national unity in Syria.

Israel had repeatedly carried out strikes in Syria during Bashar al-Assad’s rule, aiming to weaken Iran and Iranian-backed armed groups deployed to support the regime in its fight against rebels.

After the change of leadership in Damascus, Israeli officials began portraying the new Syrian government as a jihadist threat. Israel declared it would not tolerate the presence of armed groups in southern Syria, near its border, emphasizing its intent to prevent hostile military forces from taking hold. At the same time, Israeli officials stressed the need to protect the Druze minority.

Since December, Israeli forces have also occupied parts of Syrian territory adjacent to the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

On July 17, Syria’s interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa accused Israel of attempting to destabilize the country. He said Israel has been "deliberately undermining stability and sowing division among Syrians since the fall of the previous regime," seeking to "fracture our people and destroy their unity."