Drúzové z Golanských výšin. Mezi Izraelem a Sýrií.

Before 2011, most Golan Druze rejected Israeli citizenship. They retained Syrian identity and Israeli permanent-resident status, partly because of their historical ties to Syria and concerns about family members across the border. Since 2011, the war has sharply weakened cross-border family, educational and social connections, while increasing the practical importance of Israel in everyday life. Over the past decade, growing engagement with Israeli universities, employment, healthcare and civic institutions, alongside increasing applications for citizenship, has contributed to a gradual shift, particularly among younger residents.

 

The killing of 12 children in Majdal Shams in July 2024 as a result of a Hezbollah missile, followed by the rise of the Al-Sharaa regime in Syria and the mass killing of Druze in Syria’s Sweida region in July 2025, intensified security concerns and prompted a dramatic rise in Israeli citizenship applications. By 2026, roughly 35–40% of Golan Druze had acquired Israeli citizenship, according to reported figures. Nevertheless, Israelization is not uniform: Druze religious identity, Syrian heritage, local belonging, and Israeli civic identity can coexist, and the community remains diverse in its political views.