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Yair Jablinowitz

The Silent Shift: Golan’s Druze Turning to Israel?

A single rocket changed everything.

It tore through the sky and struck a soccer field in Majdal Shams, leaving destruction in its wake. But the real impact wasn’t just physical, it was psychological. The Druze of the Golan Heights, once unwavering in their loyalty to Syria, found themselves asking a different question: Is Israel not just where we live, but truly our home?

This silent shift, this unspoken transformation, was the very reason I brought Reverend Hayley Ace, a Christian leader from the UK, to the north. Hayley has been a steadfast supporter of Israel, yet nothing compares to experiencing it firsthand. I wanted her to meet the Druze, hear their truth, and witness their evolving identity. Together, we stood in Majdal Shams, guided by Talia Ibrahim, a local Druze guide whose deep knowledge and personal connection to his people made the complexities of this community come alive.

For decades, the Druze of the Golan Heights remained tethered to Syria, a remnant of pre-1967 realities. Even after Israel annexed the Golan in 1981, most refused Israeli citizenship, clinging to the belief that the Heights might one day return to Syria. Their stance wasn’t just about history, it was about survival. Aligning with Israel too soon could mean retribution if Syria regained control. But Syria never did. Instead, it collapsed into civil war, a brutal, bloody conflict that shattered any illusion of stability.

The younger generation saw the difference. While their relatives across the border were caught in chaos, they were building lives in a thriving democracy. More and more began applying for Israeli citizenship, a quiet but significant shift. And then came October 7th. The horrors of that day reaffirmed what many had already begun to feel: Israel’s enemies didn’t differentiate between Jew and Druze. A missile didn’t ask for an ID card before it struck.

Rev. Hayley Ace shares a joyful moment with young Druze girls at the Majdal Shams soccer field, where 12 children tragically lost their lives in a Hezbollah rocket attack.

The day before my journey with Hayley, I traveled with my Israel Destination team, exploring the north to put it back on the map of tourism. In Yarka, we met Mofid Abu Rish, a passionate Druze leader who took us through his community’s rich traditions, historic sites, and the vibrant marketplace. Over lunch in Julis, at Noor, a restaurant run by the widow of a fallen Druze soldier, her words struck a deep chord. “We are the link,” she said. “Between Arabs and Jews. Between past and future. Peace will come through us.”

At the kosher Druze restaurant Noor in Julis: Yair (center) with owner Basma (right) and her son Noor (left).

Now, as I stood in Majdal Shams with Hayley, seeing it through her eyes, the weight of that bridge between worlds felt more real than ever. The Druze have always walked the tightrope between loyalty and survival, but now, a choice is being made. Not with grand declarations, but with quiet decisions, applying for citizenship, enlisting in the IDF, building futures in Israel.

Rev. Hayley Ace (center left), Yair Jablinowitz (center right), and Talia Ibrahim (far right) at the Majdal Shams soccer field, where 12 children were tragically killed in a Hezbollah rocket attack.

The rocket that struck Majdal Shams was meant to bring fear. Instead, it may have solidified something far more lasting: a recognition that their fate is, and perhaps always was, tied to Israel.

The silent shift is happening. The only question left is – how far will it go?

About the Author
Yair Jablinowitz, an IDF paratrooper in the reserves and international speaker, is a passionate advocate for Israel. As a key figure at Israel Destination, a leading tourism company, Yair has been instrumental in bringing delegations from around the world to experience Israel firsthand. His 200+ days of service following the October 7th attacks, along with his deep connection to the country, make him a compelling voice in sharing Israel’s resilience and confronting antisemitism globally.
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