As the Druze community grapples with the fallout from the Assad regime’s decline in Syria and some calls for annexation to Israel, the spiritual leader of Israel’s Druze community, Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif, held a series of meetings yesterday (Saturday) with outgoing and incoming U.S. administration officials and the UN.
Heightened Concern for the Druze in Syria
Sheikh Tarif met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Israel’s Ambassador to the U.S. Michael Herzog, and Israel’s Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon to raise awareness about the plight of the Druze in Syria, and call for UN involvement in ensuring their safety. He also held discussions with members of the U.S. Senate, Congress, and officials from both the outgoing and incoming administrations. Additionally, he addressed a Middle East-focused research institute.
Danon posted on X: “I met Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif, the leader of the Druze community in Israel, during his visit to Washington and New York. Sheikh Tarif held meetings with senior figures from the international community to discuss the situation of the Druze in Syria and Lebanon in light of the current security conditions in the region. The Druze community is an integral part of Israeli society. We are doing everything in our power to assist and ensure their safety both in Israel and abroad. We will continue to act on the international stage to secure their well-being.”
פגשתי את השייח׳ מוואפק טריף, מנהיג העדה הדרוזית בישראל, שהגיע לביקור בוושינגטון וניו יורק. השייח׳ טריף נפגש עם בכירים מהקהילה הבינלאומית כדי לדון במצבם של הדרוזים בסוריה ולבנון עקב המצב הביטחוני הנוכחי באזור. העדה הדרוזית היא חלק בלתי נפרד מהחברה הישראלית. אנחנו עושים ככל… pic.twitter.com/IBG66QMzkf
— Danny Danon דני דנון (@dannydanon) January 11, 2025
UN Secretary-General and Releasing the Hostages
In the meetings, Sheikh Tarif emphasized the issue of hostage release alongside other regional concerns affecting the Druze community in Israel and globally. He called for greater involvement in these matters.
According to a report on the Walla news site, sources close to Sheikh Tarif said that UN Secretary-General Guterres reiterated his stance that the release of the hostages is an unconditional and non-negotiable matter, describing it as a paramount humanitarian issue. Guterres also mentioned that he regularly carries a tag given to him by hostage families.
