Druze leadership controversy over Israel relations

Controversy has emerged regarding statements made by Sheikh Hikmat al-Hajri, a prominent Druze religious and social leader, concerning the relationship between the Druze community and Israel.

In late August, al-Hajri suggested that the Druze are “an integral part of the State of Israel” and share commonalities with it in both “creed and thought.” These remarks drew criticism from Dr. Mohammed Fadel al-Faqih in an opinion piece, which argued that such views represent a contradiction between religious symbolism and national identity, claiming that religious figures who justify the presence of the Israeli state lose their legitimacy.

Following these remarks, the Religious Authority in the Occupied Golan issued a formal condemnation. The authority rejected al-Hajri’s position, asserting that the “Unitarian creed is loftier and more sublime than to be cast into the political arena” or used for state interests. The group emphasized that the Druze remain an inseparable part of the Arab and Islamic nation and urged the community to avoid sectarian strife, citing the need for a public stance following sectarian massacres in Jabal al-Arab in July 2025.