Khaberni - The Foreign Affairs and Security Committee of the Israeli Knesset convened on Monday, discussing the humanitarian and security situation of the Druze community in Syria, especially in the southern region of Sweida,
Deputy Boaz Bismuth, who chaired the session, affirmed that Israel stands by the Druze community, saying: "The State of Israel owes a great debt to our Druze brothers, both before and after the events of October 7. The situation in Sweida is far from solutions, and we all recognize the atrocities happening there."
In his turn, the spiritual leader of the Druze community in Israel, Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif, who attended the session, described the events that took place in Sweida in July as "atrocities similar to those that occurred during the Holocaust," according to his expression.
Tarif pointed out "the displacement of more than 150,000 people and the detention of over 600, including women and children," and called on Israel to "intensify humanitarian support and immediately respond to the deteriorating situation."
Meanwhile, Bismuth concluded the session saying: "Until further notice, the Golanian (referring to the Syrian President Ahmad al-Shar') belongs to the extremists for me, and he is responsible for his actions towards our Druze brothers," according to his expression.
The meeting was attended by representatives from the National Security Council, the Israeli army, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Defense, with the first part of the session held publicly, while the second part was held secretly to follow up on the situation with the relevant authorities.
It is worth mentioning that the National Committee for Investigating the Events in Sweida in Syria announced last week the suspension and judicial referral of several members of the defense and interior ministries after proving their involvement in violations occurred in the province.
The chairman of the committee, Judge Hatem Al-Naasan, stated during a press conference, last Sunday, that "anyone who committed a violation will be held accountable."
The Syrian presidency condemned on July 16, through a statement, the violations in the Sweida province following armed clashes between militants and Bedouin tribes, which led to the entry and then withdrawal of government forces from several areas in the province, pledging to hold accountable anyone proven to be involved.
On July 22, the Minister of Defense said he was aware of "shocking and severe violations committed by an unidentified group wearing military uniforms in the city of Sweida."
The Syrian Ministry of Interior also condemned circulated videos showing field executions by unidentified individuals in the city of Sweida, confirming that these acts constitute serious crimes.
On July 31, the Ministry of Justice formed a committee to investigate the violations that occurred in Sweida and to hold those responsible accountable.
In August, the Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Asad Hassan Al-Sheibani, emphasized Damascus's commitment to hold accountable all those who committed the violations in Sweida, from any party, stressing the need to firmly confront any sectarian or inciting rhetoric.
Conversely, during these events, Israel carried out airstrikes targeting Syrian security vehicles and other objectives, in addition to attacking the headquarters of the General Staff in the center of the Syrian capital, Damascus, claiming to defend the Druze community.
