Israel cancels entry of Syrian Druze workers at last minute

The Israeli government has abruptly canceled the entry of Syrian Druze workers into the country, despite extensive prior preparations.

The decision, made by the political leadership, was announced on April 2, leaving many unanswered questions regarding its motivations, Caliber.Az reports, citing Israeli media.

The initiative aimed to facilitate employment opportunities for Druze residents from villages in southern Syria, particularly those located within 5–10 kilometers of the border. The effort was expected to provide economic support to the community while strengthening security ties between Israel and local populations.

The plan had received support from leaders of Israel’s Druze community. Approximately three weeks ago, a group of around 100 Druze clerics from Syria visited Israel, marking the first such visit since the 1970s. They toured religious sites and met with senior Druze figures in Israel. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) had also committed to ensuring the safe arrival of Syrian Druze workers under the initiative.

However, despite these preparations, the entry permits were suddenly revoked. No official explanation has been provided, and sources close to the matter have not offered further clarification.

This development follows a similar event on March 14, when a delegation of Druze sheikhs from Syria visited Israel under the auspices of the Israeli government and the IDF. That visit, which included a pilgrimage to the tomb of the prophet Jethro, was met with mixed reactions. Residents of Hader, a Druze village on the Syrian side of the Golan Heights, strongly condemned the visit, underscoring the complexities of cross-border Druze relations.

The abrupt cancellation of the latest initiative raises further questions about Israel’s policy towards the Syrian Druze community and the broader geopolitical considerations at play.

By Khagan Isayev