Hekmat Al-Hajri: Druze are an Integral Part of Israel's Existence

SadaNews - Sheikh Hekmat Al-Hajri, one of the Druze religious leaders in Syria, asserted that the Druze see themselves as an inseparable part of Israel's existence, considering them as "a limb that has formed an alliance with Israel." This came during an interview with the newspaper "Yedioth Ahronoth," where he discussed the situation of the Druze community amid the tragic conditions in Syria.

Al-Hajri explained that the current Syrian regime is more brutal than its predecessor, indicating that the existing government is "ISIS-like and was established as a direct continuation of al-Qaeda," and that it does not only target the Druze but every minority that does not resemble it. He considered that the massacres in Sweida represent "genocide," and the latest massacre proved that the community cannot rely on any external party for protection but must depend on itself.

He added that the price has been steep but not in vain, as the Druze seek a future where they are not victims. He pointed out that the absence of a humanitarian corridor with Israel makes it very difficult to deliver aid, but he emphasized that Israel was the only country that intervened militarily and saved the Druze from genocide, asserting that Israeli airstrikes halted the massacre.

Al-Hajri noted that the relations between Israel and the Druze of Sweida are not new; they were established long before the fall of Assad, and that it is a natural relationship based on blood and kinship. He affirmed that Israel is a state governed by order and international law, which is the model the Druze aspire to. He also clarified that their demand is not limited to self-administration but aims for a "complete Druze region," emphasizing that any future agreement must make Israel the sole guarantor and authorized entity in it.

Sheikh Hekmat Al-Hajri criticized the Arab stance, stating that no Arab state has supported the Druze, instead choosing to side with the murderer rather than the victim, while the Arab media depicted them as "demons." He confirmed that there is no relationship with the Damascus authorities today, pointing out that attempts to establish a "city-state" with a fair constitution until March 2025 have completely collapsed.

He also stressed that dealing with the Syrian regime facilitates the entry of jihadists into Syrian territories, confirming the existence of a continuous strategic relationship with the Kurdish forces, praising their civil and security performance.

At the end of his discussion, he clarified that the Druze's demand is complete independence, with the possibility of accepting a transitional phase under the oversight of a guarantor party, with Israel being the main party in any future settlement.