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Muafak Tarif

Sheikh Muafak Tarif, spiritual leader of the Druze community in Israel, poses for a picture during an interview in the village of Julis in northern Israel on February 15, 2026. (Jalaa Marey / AFP)
February 20, 2026, 9:49 am
Israeli Druze leader says Syrian community remains ‘besieged’ months after clashes
Sheikh Muafak Tarif says over 120,000 still displaced, 300 held captive following clashes that erupted with government and Bedouin tribal forces in Sweida last year
By AFP
Israeli Druze leader Sheikh Muafak Tarif attends a Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem, November 24, 2025. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
December 10, 2025, 5:03 pm
Israeli Druze leader seeks US security guarantees for Syrian counterparts
After the bloodshed in Sweida this year, Sheikh Muafak Tarif says Washington must fulfill ‘duty’ to protect minority group, stresses need for Druze self-determination
By Olivia Le Poidevin and Suleiman Al-Khalidi
A man waves an Israeli flag over a picture of Sheikh Muafak Tarif, the spiritual leader of the Druze in Israel, during a weekly rally in Sweida, southern Syria, on September 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Fahd Kiwan)
October 1, 2025, 10:53 am
After brutal sectarian clashes, Syrian Druze pushing for autonomy, lean toward Israel
Southern Syria sect sets up de facto military, government body as community feels betrayed by new government in Damascus, grateful for support from Jerusalem
By Kareem Chehayeb and Malak Harb
This combination of pictures created on July 25, 2025, shows Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani (L) and Israel's Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer. (AFP)
August 20, 2025, 3:39 am
Syria issues rare confirmation of talks with Israel as US pushes to stabilize ties
No comment from Israel on Paris talks between PM’s top aide Dermer, Syrian FM; US official says Trump administration backs ‘any efforts that will bring lasting stability and peace’
By Agencies and ToI Staff
Druze clerics greet each other as they await visiting counterparts from Syria in a bus through a border barrier guarded by Israeli soldiers, near the village of Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights, on April 25, 2025. (Photo by Jalaa MAREY / AFP)
April 27, 2025, 5:07 am
Israeli, Syrian relatives reunite as 650 Druze clerics visit Israel for 2-day pilgrimage
Admitted for festival at Jethro’s tomb holy site, tearful participant hopes ties ‘won’t be cut off’; community chief hails ‘historic’ event in which some met their kin for 1st time
By ToI Staff and AFP
A man fires a weapon in the air ahead of the arrival of Syrian Druze clerics at the tomb of Nabi Shuaib in northern Israel on March 14, 2025. There is no suggestion the man depicted caused the injury of a woman (John Wessels / AFP)
March 15, 2025, 11:44 am
Woman lightly hurt by celebratory gunfire as Syrian Druze visit nearby tomb in Israel
Incident condemned by Druze leadership: ‘Whoever shoots is not one of us’; local residents say police stood by and didn’t take action
By ToI Staff and AFP
Druze people wave near a border barrier in the northern Israeli village of Majdal Shams, as buses transporting visiting Druze men from Syria arrive, on March 14, 2025. (Jalaa MAREY / AFP)
March 14, 2025, 2:10 pm
‘New chapter’: Syrian Druze clerics enter Israel for first pilgrimage since 1948
60 clerics pray at tomb of Nabi Shuaib, the most important Druze religious site, are set to meet leader of Israeli community; other Syrian Druze strongly oppose trip
By AFP and ToI Staff
Vehicles drive on a busy street of the Druze-majority Jaramana city in the Damascus countryside on March 2, 2025. (Photo by Bakr ALKASEM / AFP)
March 12, 2025, 11:05 pm
Some 100 senior figures from Syrian Druze community to visit Israeli Golan Heights
Group is expected to meet Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif in Israel and visit shrine; Jerusalem has said Syrian Druze will be allowed to work in Israel
By Agencies and ToI Staff
Druze men seen during a funeral in Majdal Shams, February 14, 2025. (Michael Giladi/ Flash90)
March 10, 2025, 1:38 am
Cabinet okays NIS 4 billion plan to boost country’s Druze, Circassians over 5 years
Community leaders welcome investment, but call it only a ‘first step,’ and express hope it won’t ‘remain on paper’ like previous promises
By Nava Freiberg and ToI Staff
Israeli Druze poet Suleiman Daghash eulogizing his grandchild Sufian Daghash, an IDF soldier killed in Gaza, at his funeral in the northern Israeli city of Maghar, January 6, 2024 (Social media; used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
January 7, 2024, 11:59 pm
Palestinians call to strip Druze poet of awards for attending soldier grandson’s funeral
Arab Israeli author Suleiman Daghash was considered an ambassador of Palestinian poetry — until his eulogy for his grandson, who fell fighting for IDF in Gaza
By Gianluca Pacchiani
Renewable energy wind turbines as seen next to the snowy peaks of Mount Hermon on January 3, 2021, in the northern Golan Heights. (Michael Giladi/Flash90)
August 25, 2023, 6:22 pm
Work on Golan wind turbines that sparked unrest expected to resume next week
Druze community still opposes project; construction first expected on turbines that are furthest from protesting communities
By ToI Staff
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Muafak Tarif in his office in Jerusalem on June 21, 2023. (Haim Zach/GPO)
June 25, 2023, 5:58 am
Netanyahu announces brief pause to wind turbine construction in Golan Heights
PM says project on hold until after Eid al-Adha holiday on Wednesday; follows Druze leader’s warning against a community reaction that ‘the country has hitherto not seen’
By ToI Staff
File: Muafak Tarif, head of the Druze community in Israel, at a ceremony held at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem on May 29, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
June 24, 2023, 5:50 pm
Druze leader: Golan wind turbine project must stop or face unprecedented response
Muafak Tarif speaks at emergency meeting over controversial project that has enraged Druze living on the plateau
By ToI Staff
Illustrative: Israeli security forces in Kfar Qaddum, near the West Bank city of Nablus, October 7, 2022. (Nasser Ishtayeh/Flash90)
November 28, 2022, 12:49 pm
Druze IDF troops held for allegedly throwing IED at West Bank home in revenge attack
3 soldiers arrested over incident thought linked to snatching of body of teenage Druze car crash victim Tiran Fero by Palestinian gunmen; no injuries or damage reported
By Emanuel Fabian and ToI Staff
Mayor Wisam Nibwani of the northern Druze town of Julis. (YouTube screenshot, used in accordance with clause 27a of the copyright law)
September 25, 2022, 2:05 pm
Shots fired at home of Druze mayor as land dispute turns ugly
Damage caused to Wisam Nibwani’s house in Julis but no injuries; police break up riots after attack as Druze leader urges calm
By Michael Horovitz
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