European UnionSyria's top Druze leader, Hikmat al-Hijri, stated that the Druze community is 'an integral part of the State of Israel,' drawing strong regional reactions and intensifying tensions between Suwayda province and Damascus. Al-Hijri praised Israel's state-building model and claimed shared values between the two communities. He emphasized the need for collective sacrifice to achieve stability and outlined plans for a 'civil state' ensuring equal rights for all groups. Al-Hijri, a leading Druze religious and political figure, has advocated for greater autonomy for Suwayda province since the fall of Bashar al-Assad in 2024. His comments come amid ongoing resistance to Damascus's authority in the predominantly Druze region, which has seen periodic armed clashes and refusal to integrate with the new government led by President Ahmad al-Sharaa. Recent diplomatic efforts, including a Syrian-Israeli meeting mediated by the U.S., aim to ease tensions.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the Druze community's relationship with Israel in a way that emphasizes shared values and potential cooperation, aligning with narratives that challenge Syrian state control. The emphasis on Israel's state-building model and the call for a 'civil state' in Suwayda suggest a pro-Du
