Syrian Druze in Hader call to join Israel amid rising Islamist threats

Syrian Villagers Seek Annexation to Israel⁢

Viral videos have emerged showing residents of Hader, a village ⁣in the Syrian Golan Heights, expressing a‌ desire to be annexed to Israel. In the videos, villagers gathered in a large crowd, with⁢ one prominent figure addressing the⁢ assembly. This individual, speaking on behalf of Hader and neighboring villages, declared, ​”In the name of the all the people of Hader, ⁤and if anyone objects, please say… if we have to choose, we will choose the lesser evil – to​ be annexed to the (Israeli) Golan!””

The speaker characterized Israel as the “lesser evil,” warning of impending threats from Islamist militias who, they fear, would “take our wives, our daughters, our‌ homes.”

أهالي حضر⁢ في ​الجولان السوري المحرر يطالبون بضمهم الى اسرائيل . pic.twitter.com/eMQBDrLw65

— مركز ⁢دراسات الازمات nidal hamade (@nidalhamade2) December 13,2024

The speaker continued,emphasizing their desire to‌ join the Golan ‌heights,stating: “We are with those who preserve our dignity… I don’t mind if anyone is ⁤taking pictures or recording – we ask to be⁢ annexed to⁤ the Golan… ⁢The fate of⁢ Hader is the fate of ​the surrounding villages,we want to ask to join our kin in the Golan,to be free from injustice and oppression,” to which those in attendance responded with a resounding “we agree,we ​agree!”.

Fear and a plea for Trust

Sources‍ from Syria have ​shed light on the motivations behind these ⁤villagers’ desire to⁤ join Israel. Unlike the large Druze communities in the⁢ Suwayda area, who have been outspoken critics of the assad regime‌ for over a decade, these villages in the​ Syrian Golan have traditionally remained loyal to the deposed regime.As a result, they now fear violent reprisals from those ⁤who opposed assad.

They ⁢have appealed for Israel’s trust, acknowledging their past allegiance to Assad but stressing ‌their sincere desire for⁤ annexation. As one source​ explained, “These villages were actually an enclave surrounded by rebel groups, ‍most of them Sunni‍ Islamists.”

Dr. Yusri Khaizran, ‍a senior lecturer in Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies at Shalem ​College, corroborated this understanding, highlighting the precarious position of these villages amidst the Syrian conflict.

The Druze community in Syria, traditionally ⁤a fiercely self-reliant group, is increasingly turning its focus towards Israel for support and protection amid escalating regional instability. This shift,⁣ according to geopolitical analyst Dr. Sami khaizran, is driven ⁤by a confluence of factors, including a perceived weakening of the Syrian‍ state and the growing‍ threat of Islamist militias. A Shifting Landscape in the Golan Heights Khaizran points to a recent convention in Hader, a Druze-majority town in the Golan Heights, were local leaders called for annexation to Israel. He attributes this unprecedented move to the ongoing disintegration of Syria. “Even if Syria ‍remains a formalized state entity,” Khaizran ⁢explains, “it will effectively be controlled by various militias.” ‍He suggests that IsraelS robust military presence in the area, coupled ⁢with‌ familial ties between druze communities on both sides of​ the Golan Heights, likely contributed to the decision. The Druze community in Syria historically has not been hostile towards Israel. They recognize Israel’s role in preventing Islamist rebel groups from entering their towns and carrying out atrocities. Khaizran emphasizes that Israel’s commitment to its own Druze citizens has been instrumental in forging this bond. The Israeli Druze: A Shield for ‍Their ⁢Kin Intriguingly, the Israeli Druze community, despite being numerically smaller ‍than other Druze communities‌ in the Middle East, has ⁢emerged ‌as a protective force for its brethren in Syria. Khaizran highlights the⁣ special status enjoyed by Israeli Druze, which allows ⁤them to actively support their kin across the border. This support is further bolstered by the spiritual leadership of Sheikh​ Muwafaq Tarif, who has been actively engaging with⁤ Israeli‌ Prime Minister Netanyahu and even Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed of the⁤ United Arab Emirates. aspirations for Autonomy While some in Israel have envisioned a separate Druze state, Khaizran believes that the aspirations of the Syrian Druze community are more focused on ‍achieving complete autonomy,⁢ similar to the status they enjoyed until 1954.⁤ Their primary concern,he emphasizes,is preventing Islamist forces from encroaching on⁣ their‌ territory. A More⁤ Empowered Future Khaizran concludes by⁤ stating that‌ recent developments, comprising the ⁣decline of the Assad regime and the weakening of Hezbollah, are ultimately favorable for Israel. “The only concern for Israel is the potential rise of Turkish⁢ hegemony in Syria,” he adds. However, he believes that these broader geopolitical shifts will ultimately empower Israel.Please provide the article you would like ‍me to rewrite. I need the text content of ⁣the article to complete your request.once you provide the article,⁤ I will: * Rewrite it entirely, ensuring originality while preserving essential facts, dates, and quotes. * Structure the content with‍ H2 and H3 headings for‍ SEO.* Use a natural,⁣ engaging writing style. * Format the ​output in valid WordPress-compatible⁣ HTML, including appropriate tags for paragraphs, headings, images, and multimedia.* retain original⁢ HTML tags for multimedia elements. * Ensure the HTML is error-free and well-formed. ⁢ I look forward to helping‌ you create⁣ a great article!
## Syrian Villagers seek Annexation to Israel: A Conversation



**Q:** Viral videos‌ have emerged showing villagers in⁢ the Syrian Golan Heights expressing a desire to be annexed to Israel.What prompted this unexpected move?



**A:** ⁣This shift reflects the dire⁢ security situation faced by many Druze communities in the Syrian Golan Heights. Unlike the​ openly anti-Assad Druze communities in Suwayda, these‌ villages had traditionally remained loyal to ​the assad regime. Now, they fear retribution from anti-Assad factions, particularly Sunni Islamist groups. Feeling abandoned by Damascus adn fearing for their safety, ​they⁤ are reaching out⁢ to Israel as a potential‌ sanctuary.



**Q:** Can you ‍elaborate ⁢on the villagers’ ‌fear of Islamist militias?



**A:** Absolutely. These villages, situated in a predominantly Sunni region, found themselves surrounded by rebel groups during the Syrian Civil War. They view these groups as a grave threat to their safety, fearing violence and oppression should they fall under their control.



**Q:** In the ⁤videos, villagers refer to Israel as the “lesser evil.”



**A:** That phrase ⁣encapsulates their dilemma. while they acknowledge their past loyalty to the Assad regime, they believe that Israel offers them a more secure future. They are appealing to⁢ israel’s ‍sense of responsibility ‍towards it’s own Druze citizens and⁣ hoping for protection and autonomy.



**Q:** How does this situation impact the broader geopolitical landscape?



**A:** This progress signifies a⁣ shift in ‍allegiances within the region. It highlights the ​erosion of the Syrian ‌state⁢ and⁣ the growing influence ⁤of local actors, particularly amidst the rising threat of Islamist extremism.



**Q:** What are the implications​ for Israel?



**A:** For ⁣Israel, this presents both challenges and opportunities. ‌It offers a chance to solidify ties with a strategically located⁣ druze community. ⁤However, it also raises concerns‌ about potential tensions with other regional powers and the delicate religious balance within Israel itself.



**Q:** Dr.​ Sami Khaizran, a geopolitical analyst, mentioned the druze community’s desire for autonomy.​ Could you explain this further?



**A:** The Druze of Hader and neighboring villages are not seeking outright annexation to Israel in the customary sense. ⁢They envision a situation akin to the autonomy they enjoyed prior to 1954,with ‍self-governance ‌and⁤ protection,but without​ full integration into Israeli society. Their primary objective is to ensure their security and preserve their cultural identity in a turbulent⁢ region.



**Q:**Is there support within Israel for this⁤ annexation?



**A:** While some individuals might welcome‌ the idea of expanding Israeli territory, there is no widespread political​ movement advocating for full annexation of these villages. ⁣The Israeli government will likely proceed cautiously, weighing the potential risks and rewards of such a move.



**Q:** What lies ahead for these villages? **



**A:** Their future remains uncertain. Much depends on the ongoing developments in Syria and the responses from both Israel ‌and other regional actors. However, the⁣ villagers of ⁢Hader have made their plea ⁤for protection clear, highlighting the complexities and humanitarian ⁢dimension of the Syrian conflict.

I understand you want me to rewrite the article you provided, focusing on clarity, SEO-friendliness, and a WordPress-compatible format. I will:





* **Rewrite the article entirely**, maintaining accuracy and incorporating crucial details like dates, names, and quotes.

* **Structure the content with H2 and H3 headings** to enhance readability and SEO.

* **Employ a natural, engaging writing style** that’s suitable for a broad audience.

* **Format the output in valid WordPress-compatible HTML**, including appropriate tags for paragraphs, headings, images, and multimedia elements.

* **Retain the original HTML tags for any multimedia elements** you include in your original text.

* **Ensure the HTML is error-free and well-formed**, so it seamlessly integrates into your WordPress site.







Please paste the full article text you want me to rewrite. I’m ready to help you create a compelling and polished piece!