Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the Druze local council of Julis on Thursday, where he met with Sheikh Muwafaq Tarif and other leaders of the Druze community.
Netanyahu shared that Tarif’s statement, "The Jews in the Holocaust called for help, and no one came," struck him deeply, describing it as "a dart to the heart."
"We are brothers. Will Israel not extend a hand to save our Druze brothers? We acted. When I understood the magnitude of the disaster, we acted immediately," he said.
During his visit, Netanyahu toured the civilian operations center set up at the Sheikh’s residence to monitor the situation of the Druze in Syria. He also met with the family of Cpt. Amir Abdullah Saad, who was killed in combat in the Gaza Strip.
Netanyahu expressed his condolences to the family, stating that Saad fought "with supreme courage for Israel's security."
"I understand who and what we are dealing with," Netanyahu said, regarding the situation in Syria.
He added that US President Donald Trump shares his outlook: "Both of us believe in peace through strength. First comes strength, then peace. That's how it is, especially in our region."
Protecting the Druze community in Sweida
In terms of practical steps Israel will be taking, Netanyahu outlined three key objectives: protecting the Druze community in Sweida and other areas; creating a demilitarized zone south of Damascus that will extend to the Sweida district; and establishing a humanitarian corridor to facilitate the delivery of food, construction materials, and broad medical assistance.
"These discussions are taking place right now, at this very moment," he added.
Accompanying Netanyahu on the visit were his Chief of Staff, Tzachi Braverman, Deputy Director-General of the Prime Minister’s Office Drorit Steinmetz, and his military secretary, Maj.-Gen. Roman Gofman.