Druze Sheikh Aql in Lebanon Sami Abou al-Mona stressed on Monday that the Druze community is committed to integration in society and will "not be protected by an enemy."
Prominent Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt warned that "danger is lurking against the essence of our creed and Arab heritage" in Lebanon and beyond.
The leaders made their remarks at a large Druze gathering in Beirut in wake recent developments in Syria and Israeli stances related to the Druze in Damascus. The gatherers, which included senior Druze clerics and figures, were in agreement in rejecting civil war in Syria.
"Despite the changes and no matter how great the challenges, we are dedicated to preserving existential principles and the sect will not abandon them," declared Abou al-Mona.
For his part, Jumblatt said he will pay a new visit to Damascus soon. The former MP was among the first Lebanese officials to travel to Syria after the collapse of the former Assad regime in December. He met with interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus.
Jumblatt said on Monday: "Zionism is using the Druze as soldiers and officers to oppress the Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank. Today, they want to pounce on Jabal al-Arab." Jabal al-Arab is a predominantly Druze region in Syria’s southern Sweida province.
"This phase is far more dangerous than the situation we were in on May 17 and the days of the Israeli occupation of Beirut," warned Jumblatt.
"The danger is threatening the essence of our creed and Arab heritage in Lebanon to Jabal al-Arab. The Palestinian cause is another issue and we will leave it up to its people to decide whatever they want," he added.
Furthermore, Jumblatt underlined the need to take the "right stance" during this phase, warning of a "major plot" to drag "the weak willed to a civil war."
"Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif [the Druze leader in Israel] claims to represent the Druze in the region in cooperation with the Zionists. This is not true," he went on to say.
Tensions in Syria
Tensions have been high between the Druze and the Syria’s new rulers, leading to clashes between the two parties and Israel’s threat to intervene to protect the former.
Last week, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that "one person was killed and nine others from Jaramana were injured during clashes between security forces affiliated with the new authority and local gunmen tasked with protecting the area."
It could not specify whether the killed person was a civilian or a local fighter.
Tensions began on Friday when a dispute led to the killing of one security forces member and the wounding of another in a shooting at a checkpoint in Jaramana in Damascus, according to the Observatory.
Syria's official news agency, SANA, quoted Colonel Hossam al-Tahhan, the local head of security, as saying the checkpoint had stopped Ministry of Defense personnel as they entered the area to visit their relatives.
After surrendering their weapons, they were assaulted and "their vehicle was directly targeted by gunfire," resulting in the casualties, Tahhan said.
He warned such incidents could have repercussions on "Syria's security, stability, and unity."
Tahhan said security forces have since started to deploy in the area.
Jaramana's Druze said in a statement that they would "withdraw protection from all offenders and outlaws" and pledged to hand over anyone proven responsible to "the relevant authorities to face justice."
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on Saturday warned Syria's new rulers not "to harm the Druze", adding the military has been ordered "to prepare and to send a firm and clear warning: if the regime harms the Druze, it will suffer the consequences."
An Israeli defense ministry statement said the military has been instructed to prepare to defend a Druze settlement in the suburbs of Damascus, asserting that the minority it has vowed to protect was "under attack" by Syrian forces.
