Syria's top Druze leader calls community 'integral part of Israel'

The spiritual leader of Syria's Druze has described the community as "an integral part of the State of Israel," a declaration that drew sharp reactions across the region and deepened tensions between Suwayda province and Damascus.

Hikmat al-Hijri made the statement at a gathering in Suwayda on Monday, praising Israel's model of state-building and saying the two communities shared "common denominators" that he said extended to doctrine.

He said the region's inhabitants shared a common fate and that the current period would require sacrifices to achieve stability.

Al-Hijri is one of Syria's three Sheikh al-Aql, the senior religious leaders of the country's Druze community, and has emerged as its most influential political and spiritual figure in Suwayda.

The Druze follow a monotheistic faith that emerged in the 11th century as an offshoot of Ismaili Islam and is now generally regarded as a distinct religion.

There are roughly 1 million Druze worldwide, with most living in Suwayda province in the southwest and the surrounding Jabal al-Arab, and smaller communities in Lebanon and Israel.

The Israeli Druze have a specific status within Israel: unlike other Arab citizens, they are subject to mandatory military service and have traditionally served in the Israeli Defence Forces.

Al-Hijri linked his vision for Suwayda's future to establishing a "civil state" that guarantees the rights of all communities without discrimination.

He hinted at developments in the province that could be announced "within days," without elaborating.