Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu emphasizes the ethical imperative to assist the Druze community
In the wake of escalating violence in southern Syria, particularly the brutal attacks in As-Sweida that have left over 250 Druze civilians dead since July 13, Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu, the Chief Rabbi of Tzfat and a prominent religious Zionist leader, has taken a clear and forceful stance.
Rabbi Eliyahu has called on Israel to defend the Druze community, framing this as a moral and religious obligation rooted in Jewish values and Torah teachings. He emphasized that every human is created "in the image of God," and that disrespecting or degrading any person contradicts Torah ethics.
Highlighting the historic and biblical connections between the Jewish people and the Druze, Rabbi Eliyahu reminded the public of the special bond dating back over 3,000 years to Yitro (Jethro), Moses’ father-in-law, who is revered in Druze faith. He stressed solidarity, condemning the attacks by forces led by Ahmad al-Sharaa (al-Julani), characterizing them as forces of "darkness and evil" abusing the Druze.
Rabbi Eliyahu called on Israel to stand by the Druze and support the Israeli government and IDF actions in Syria, including strikes on Syrian forces oppressing Druze civilians. He said it is Israel’s duty to defend the Druze "with whom we have a covenant of blood."
Reactions to his stance include broader support from other Israeli rabbis backing intervention in Syria on behalf of the Druze, presenting it as a moral imperative linked to religious and historic allegiances. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have since increased operations in southern Syria, targeting regime elements linked to attacks on Druze civilians, signaling coordination between Rabbi Eliyahu’s call and government policy.
Meanwhile, relations between Israel and the Druze on the ground in Syria are complex. Some Druze express openness toward closer ties with Israel, while others remain skeptical due to past Israeli military withdrawals and concerns about stability.
In summary, Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu’s stance is one of strong advocacy for Israel’s active defense of the Druze community as part of a shared moral and historical bond, supporting IDF and government actions to counter forces attacking Druze civilians in Syria. This position has influenced wider Israeli religious and political circles amid ongoing conflict dynamics.
War-and-conflicts continue to shape regional politics, as evidenced by the escalating violence in southern Syria that has left the Druze community vulnerable. This situation has prompted Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu to call for Israel's active involvement, framing it as a moral and religious obligation, rooted in Jewish values and Torah teachings, that echoes throughout the general news landscape.
