Sa’ar slams international community for silence on Syrian regime attacks on Druze

Nava Freiberg is The Times of Israel's deputy diplomatic correspondent.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar looks on during a joint press conference with his Lithuanian counterpart at the Foreign Ministry in Vilnius on July 1, 2025. (Petras Malukas / AFP)
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar looks on during a joint press conference with his Lithuanian counterpart at the Foreign Ministry in Vilnius on July 1, 2025. (Petras Malukas / AFP)

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar slams the international community for its silence in the wake of attacks on the Druze in southern Syria.

Sa’ar says that in Syria, “We are seeing a recurring phenomenon of persecution of minorities, to the point of massacres and pogroms. Sometimes it’s carried out by regime forces, sometimes by jihadist militias that are part of the regime’s base — and usually it’s both.”

“But now, in southern Syria, we are seeing extremely disturbing images — the murder and humiliation of civilians. And I ask: What else has to happen for the international community to speak out? What more are they waiting for?” Sa’ar asks.

Sa’ar details Israel’s interests in Syria, describing them as “known, limited, and clear” after Israel carried out strikes to defend the Druze.

“First, to maintain the status quo in southern Syria — near our border — and to prevent the development of threats to Israel in that region. Second, to prevent harm to the Druze community, with whom we have a strong and close bond through the Druze citizens of Israel.”

 

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