A Syrian rebel massacre at a Syrian Druze Golan village presents Israel with new dilemma

A suicide bomb car, which exploded Friday, Nov. 3, at the Druze village of Hader on the Syrian Golan, followed by shelling, killed 10 villagers and injured 30. It took place opposite an IDF position on Mt Hermon, presenting Israel with an unforeseen dilemma.

The attack was claimed by the Syrian rebel Tahrir al Sham (known formerly as Al Qaeda’s Nusra Front). Word of the massacre shot through the Druze villages on the Israeli side of the border, causing extreme distress in Majdel Shams, Massade and Buq’ata, where many people have close family in the Syrian Golan village. Druze Knesset Member Dr. Akram Hasson, of the Kulani party, said four of his relatives died in the attack. Hundreds of enraged Druzes surged across to the Syrian side of the Golan border Friday afternoon and were chased back by Israeli soldiers.

After that, Israeli army officers tried to restore calm with assurances that IDF would help them prevent Hader from falling into Syrian rebel hands. Hader is 4km from the Israeli border. The IDF could bombard rebel forces advancing on the village from the air and by heavy artillery.
An Israeli military buildup is meanwhile taking place on the Israeli-Syrian border. The IDF spokesman released the following statement: “Our policy is clear – we are not interfering in the fighting or supporting any one side. On the other hand, we are extending humanitarian and medical aid to local people who live on the Syrian Golan, to alleviate their suffering. Serious fighting took place in the last few hours. Contrary to the lies spread by interested parties, Israel is not assisting, and will not assist, terrorist groups.  We will continue to stand by the Druzes of the Golan.”

The spokesman was countering an allegation. The Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt, who is respected by all the scattered Druze communities, urged the Golan Druzes not to trust Israel, because, he said, Israel would betray them.

DEBKAfile adds: If the rebel assault on Hader continues, the IDF may be forced to step in to save its inhabitants, in view of its pact with the Druze community of Israel. Israel would then lay itself open to being charged by Damascus of directly interfering in the Syrian conflict.

Another complication is that the Druzes of Hader are avowedly hostile to Israel. When some years ago, Syria, Iran and Hizballah pursued a plan to establish terrorist groups on the Golan for operations against Israel, some of them were willing to enlist.

Directly engaged in handling this inflammable situation are the IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gady Eisenkott, OC Northern Command, Maj. Gen. Yoel Strick, commander of the Bashan division Brig. Gen. Amit Fischer and the National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabat.
As night fell Friday, the fighting over Hader died down. Some of the rebel forces pulled back from its vicinity, but may return to the fray at first light Saturday. Israel’s Golan forces remain on a high state of readiness

Leaders of the Israel Druze community held an emergency meeting at Julis Friday and reported pledges received from the highest levels of the Israeli government and military that the IDF would not permit Hader to fall into Syrian rebel hands.

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21 thoughts on “A Syrian rebel massacre at a Syrian Druze Golan village presents Israel with new dilemma

  • Nov 3, 2017 @ 20:38 at 20:38
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    To reward Druze hopes and cultivate their allegiance or not cannot be the dilemma. It is important that Israel does whatever it can to be a friend and ally to communities on the front line, also that it heeds the message and proves its sincerity.

    • Nov 4, 2017 @ 1:03 at 1:03
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      Sincerity? You are hilarious.

  • Nov 4, 2017 @ 12:36 at 12:36
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    Israeli are after more land grab while supporting Al-Qaeda terrorists in Syria to carry out killings and bombings and treating injured terrorists in their hospitals now they are talking about helping Druze who support Assad. I don’t think they trust Israel because after all Israel is occupying Golan Height despite all UN resolutions. They want weak governments around them that’s why they are arming the terrorists who carry out car bombing, beheading and other atrocities.

    • Nov 4, 2017 @ 15:05 at 15:05
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      You make things up, and in a sensitive situation it costs lives. If you do care about anyone, stop spreading distrust.

    • Nov 5, 2017 @ 17:51 at 17:51
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      If Israel was not in the Golan, it would have Al Qada in the Kineret and Jordan would die of thirst

    • Nov 7, 2017 @ 8:06 at 8:06
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      What land? Israel has been the same size for over 3000 years and is, in fact, much smaller than ancient Israel due to colonial intervention and the repeated attacks by various Roman, Greek, Persian and Arab invaders.

  • Nov 4, 2017 @ 12:55 at 12:55
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    Israel must consider accepting refugees in this special case, otherwise, Israel would be acting like a non-Jewish nation.

  • Nov 4, 2017 @ 16:11 at 16:11
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    Druze should not have been chased back, but be allowed to take care of their Syrian family members, possibly in Israel on a temporary basis. Israeli troops themselves should not engage in that hornet’s nest.

  • Nov 4, 2017 @ 16:53 at 16:53
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    Israel is the perpetrator of this whole mess

    • Nov 4, 2017 @ 18:46 at 18:46
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      100% agree. If Israel does not arm these terrorists and act as their private air force they will be wiped out in no time and would no be able to carry out the murderous bombings.

    • Nov 6, 2017 @ 18:29 at 18:29
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      no Taz your f’ing muslim buds are the root of all the problems in the mid east. You guys are just upset that someone is big enough to fight back. To bad

  • Nov 4, 2017 @ 19:09 at 19:09
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    Druse should be protected, if only because of their brothers living in Israel in peace with the government.
    Israel can easily shield them where they live. No refugees, do not need to live inside Israel.

  • Nov 4, 2017 @ 19:25 at 19:25
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    ‘Israhell’ is an illegal and barbaric state. ‘Israhell’ is a land for criminals and home for terrorists. ‘ISRAHELL’ is a threat to human race and must be ‘Annihilated’ to save the human race.

    • Nov 4, 2017 @ 21:30 at 21:30
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      Go back to school to learn how to type correctly you daft small selfish mind

    • Nov 5, 2017 @ 17:55 at 17:55
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      The Israeli arabs dont leave because it is Israel heaven. Free education, healthcare, womens rights and gay rights.

    • Nov 5, 2017 @ 21:07 at 21:07
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      I suggest you back that up and join Islamic Jihad. Talking hate is easy, signing up to actively participate in ones spontaneously becoming a red mist is way harder.

  • Nov 4, 2017 @ 20:47 at 20:47
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    this bull sh!t is entirely concocted…period

    • Nov 4, 2017 @ 21:28 at 21:28
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      concocted by старая баба Россия?

  • Nov 6, 2017 @ 0:54 at 0:54
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    Who would have thought Israel would come to the aid of Assad-friendly forces?

  • Nov 7, 2017 @ 8:10 at 8:10
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    Whatever Israel does or does not do – it will be blamed anyway. So Is real might as well act in its own best interest and make sure that Hezbollah, Syria, Iran, and all the various scum terrorists know that Israel means business and will respond to every incursion near its borders.

  • Nov 9, 2017 @ 12:56 at 12:56
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    Israel, the arsonist dressed as a firefighter.

Comments are closed.