Spiritual leader Hikmat al-Hijri says Syria's Druze are 'integral part of Israel'

Syrian Druze leader Hikmat al-Hijri said on Monday that his community is an "integral part of the state of Israel", while foreshadowing an announcement in the coming days.

Hijri's statement comes amid conflicting reports about the Syrian government's efforts to resolve the crisis that broke out after the fall of Bashar al-Assad, which included bloody clashes between forces allied to the new government and a pro-Hijri militia, as well as Israeli airstrikes on the presidential palace in Damascus.

"We are an integral part of the State of Israel... we even share the same ideology with it," Hijri said at a gathering in Syria's Suweida.

He added that developments relating to the Druze-majority governorate may become clear "within days", without providing further details.

According to the Lebanese outlet Al-Modon, secret talks have taken place between Damascus and Hijri in recent weeks, aiming to reach an agreement on the future of Suweida. The talks are reportedly exploring the possibility of a deal similar to the March 10 deal between the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian government.

However, sources close to Hijri denied talks were taking place, saying that the reports were "incorrect". The same sources indicated there was movement regarding detainees and prisoners in talks being mediated by the US.

The Druze leader's latest remarks came days after talks in Jordan between Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and Israeli Mossad chief Roman Gofman, mediated by the United States. The talks touched on Israel's attacks on Syria, and attempts to reach a security agreement between the two sides.

Hijri has previously described Israel as the "protector" of Syria's Druze, and has advocated for Tel Aviv overseeing a transitional process for Druze self-rule.

Israel, which has framed some of its attacks on Syria as being in defence of the religious minority, has expanded its occupation of Syrian land and carried out numerous airstrikes and raids into the country since the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.