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Majdal Shams
Residents of the Golan Heights wave Syrian and Druze flags as they gather in front of a portrait of Syrian President Bashar Assad during a protest against US President Donald Trump's recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the contested area, in the town of Majdal Shams, on March 23, 2019. (Jalaa Marey/AFP)
March 23, 2019, 7:23 pm
Druze protest in Golan against Trump’s recognition of Israeli sovereignty
Demonstrators gather in Majdal Shams and on the Syrian side of border, as security forces put on high alert for potential violence
By TOI staff
Druze residents of the Golan Heights carry a portrait of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during a rally in the village of Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights on February 14, 2019 (JALAA MAREY / AFP)
February 15, 2019, 11:10 am
Druze rally in Israeli Golan to protest annexation, show support for Assad
Hundreds attend protest in Majdal Shams, some brandishing Syrian flags and placards depicting Syrian president, to demonstrate against Israel’s 1981 annexation of strategic plateau
By TOI staff
Sameera Rada Emran, a candidate for mayor in Ein Qinya, stands outside home on October 23, 2018. (Adam Rasgon/Times of Israel)
October 28, 2018, 7:39 pm
Golan Druze communities set for first municipal elections — and many are fuming
While some locals support the first local vote since 1967, many others, who feel a strong sense of loyalty to Syria, vehemently protest the move
By Adam Rasgon
Druze residents of Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights set ablaze makeshift ballot papers during a protest on October 19, 2018. (Jalaa Marey/AFP)
October 27, 2018, 12:42 am
For many Golan Druze, voting in first-ever municipal election remains taboo
Court ruling allowing Druze cities to directly elect representatives for the first time does little to break longstanding boycott of Israeli electoral system
By Clothilde Mraffko
O'Neal Mahmoud, an Israeli Druze boy from the town of Majdal Shams who speaks fluent English. (Screen capture: Channel 10)
June 3, 2018, 9:12 am
Druze toddler amazes experts by speaking English without having learned it
Family says they don’t know how their 3.5-year-old boy learned language, complete with British accent, and don’t always understand him
By Michael Bachner
A man seen at the entrance to a bomb shelter that was opened in the Golan Heights, in northern Israel, May 8, 2018. (Basel Awidat/Flash90)
May 11, 2018, 4:03 am
After missile barrage, some in Golan seek shelter as others find serenity
Kibbutz residents say Thursday’s cross-border exchange didn’t rattle them, but in Druze villages a lack of bomb shelters leaves jitters over the next time missiles may fly
By Jacob Magid
Druze children pass Israeli army signs warning of a minefield on their way home from school in Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights. (Lior Mizrahi / FLASH90)
February 8, 2018, 8:56 pm
Army: Syrians shot at IDF drone, but hit a house in Israel
Attack comes day after air force reportedly conducted strike outside Damascus; in unrelated incident, Israeli sailors open fire at Lebanese buoys
By Judah Ari Gross
Druze men in the Israeli Golan Heights congregate near the Syrian border, waving their community's flag, after they heard about a suicide bombing in the Syrian Druze village of Hadar, on November 3, 2017. (Jalaa Marey/AFP)
November 7, 2017, 1:20 pm
Police arrest Druze who tried to cross into Syria to help brethren
Seven suspected of damaging security fence while rushing to respond after Syrian Druze village of Hader hit by suicide bombing
By Judah Ari Gross
Druze men in the Israeli Golan Heights congregate near the Syrian border, waving their community's flag, after they heard about a suicide bombing in the Syrian Druze village of Hadar, on November 3, 2017. (Jalaa Marey/AFP)
November 3, 2017, 3:30 pm
Druze try to break into Syria from Israel, IDF brings them back
After Syrian Druze village of Hader hit by suicide bombing, Netanyahu vows to protect it from jihadists
By Judah Ari Gross, TOI staff and Agencies
Illustrative: An explosion on the Syrian Golan Heights on June 16, 2015, as the al-Nusra Front fights against Assad's troops near the Syrian Druze village of Hader. (Basel Awidat/Flash90)
November 3, 2017, 2:11 pm
In rare step, Israel says it will help Syrian Druze village fend off jihadists
Announcement by IDF comes hours after suicide bombing kills nine people in Hader, near Quneitra; spillover fire lightly injures resident of Majdal Shams
By TOI staff and Agencies
This file photo taken on September 10, 2017, shows Issam Zahreddine (C), a major general in the Syrian Republican Guard, in the eastern city of Deir Ezzor. (AFP Photo/George Ourfalian)
October 23, 2017, 4:52 am
Israeli Druze mourn death of Syrian regime general
Hundreds in Majdal Shams honor top Assad commander, blamed for death of US journalist and French photographer
By TOI staff
Crowd at the Shepherds Beer Festival in Bethlehem watches Arab-israeli rapper Tamer Nafar on August 20, 2017. (Luke Tress)
August 22, 2017, 5:57 am
Palestinians flock to Bethlehem Shepherds fest to celebrate newest brewery
8,000 show up for two nights of music, drink and dance in second annual beer festival
By Dov Lieber and Video by Luke Tress
Sidqi al-Maqt, 48, arrested for spying for Syria, raises his arms as he speaks to reporters, March 27, 2015 (screen capture: Channel 2)
May 16, 2017, 7:16 pm
Druze man gets 14 years in prison for spying on behalf of Syria
Resident of Majdal Shams passed over information about IDF positions and operations along border
By TOI staff
IDF soldiers and medical personnel at the site of an accidental grenade explosion near the village of Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights on July 17, 2016. (AFP PHOTO / JALAA MAREY)
September 27, 2016, 10:03 pm
IDF chief reprimands officers of soldiers killed in accident
Sgt. Shlomo Rindenow and Staff Sgt. Hussam Tafesh died when grenade Tafesh was ‘playing with’ detonated, military official says
By Judah Ari Gross
Israeli Druze from the village of Majdal Shams attend a demonstration in support of their Syrian Druze brothers in northern Israel on June 15, 2015 (Jule Gamal/Flash90)
July 29, 2016, 11:09 pm
Golan Druze leader disputes UN statement on ‘hardship of Israeli occupation’
Mayor of Majdal Shams says local residents enjoy a good life, always find ‘attentive ear’ with government
By JTA
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