By Ruth Marks Eglash
Who are the Druze?
The Druze are a small, secretive religious and ethnic group that originated in the Middle East more than a thousand years ago. Today, they are dispersed across the Levant, with the largest communities in Syria, followed by Lebanon and Israel, and a smaller population in Jordan.
Despite being separated by often-hostile borders, the Druze — who speak Arabic — see themselves as one people and maintain a strong communal identity built on family and kinship ties.
What are their origins?
The Druze faith emerged in the early 11th century within the Fatimid Caliphate in Egypt. Initially an offshoot of Ismaili Shia Islam, the Druze developed over time into a distinct religious tradition that is no longer considered part of mainstream Islam.
One of the key founders of the Druze doctrine was Hamza ibn Ali, who promoted the belief in the divine nature of the Fatimid Caliph,
al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah — an idea rejected by orthodox Islam and considered heretical.
The Druze halted conversions after being persecuted and became an insular community, preserving their teachings through oral tradition and secrecy.
What are their beliefs?
The Druze follow an esoteric, monotheistic religion that blends elements of other Abrahamic religions, including Judaism and Christianity, as well as several other philosophies such as Hinduism.
They have no formal rituals or houses of worship, such as churches or mosques. Instead, religious knowledge is restricted to a spiritual elite known as the uqqāl, or “the wise”, while the majority of Druze — called juhhāl, or “the ignorant,” in a non-pejorative sense — live secular lives.
Within the faith, the Druze revere several biblical figures such as Jethro, who was the father-in-law of Moses.
Other key tenets to the Druze religion include a belief in reincarnation, a refusal to accept converts — only those born into Druze families can be Druze — and a declaration of loyalty to the country in which they live, including military conscription in Israel.
What is the situation for Druze in Syria?
About 700,000 Druze live in Syria, primarily in the southern province of Suwayda, where they have generally maintained a degree of autonomy.
Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in late 2024, Syria has descended into renewed instability. In July 2025, violent clashes erupted between Druze militias and Sunni Bedouin groups after a series of tit-for-tat kidnappings. The fighting spread rapidly, involving Syrian government troops, and caused major casualties.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitoring group, has said it has documented the killing of nearly 1,000 people as attempts are now in place to reach a shaky ceasefire.
This is not the first time Syria’s Druze have been targeted. In 2015, Suwayda faced threats from Isis and al-Qaeda’s Syrian branch, Jabhat al-Nusra, pushing many Druze to arm themselves and form militias.
What is the situation for Druze in Israel?
About 150,000 Druze live in Israel, mostly in the Galilee, Carmel, and Golan Heights regions.
Unlike in other Arab communities, Druze men in Israel are subject to mandatory military conscription, and up to 83 per cent serve in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). About 5 percent of all Israel Defense Forces soldiers are Druze, and they account for some of the country’s fiercest warriors.
Additionally, about 20 per cent of Israel’s prison guards are from the Druze community and about 6.5 per cent of the country’s police officers.
Their loyalty and contributions have earned them a unique place in Israeli society. This connection has also shaped Israel’s regional interests, including its involvement in southern Syria, where many Druze live.
Where else do the Druze live?
In addition to Syria and Israel, about 250,000 Druze live in Chouf Mountains of Lebanon and some 20,000 live in Jordan. Outside the Middle East, Druze also live in the United States, Canada, Venezuela, Australia and Europe.
Additional resources
Academic and Research Institutions
Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies, Tel Aviv University
The Harry S. Truman Institute for the Advancement of Peace, Hebrew University
Institute for National Security Studies
Scholars and commentators
Dr Kais Firro, author of The Druzes in the Jewish State: A Brief History and A History of the Druzes
Dr Amal Jamal, professor of political science at Tel Aviv University
Dr Yusri Khaizaran, historian and researcher of Islamic and Druze movements, based at Hebrew University and the Van Leer Institute
Dr Omar Imady, senior fellow, Centre for Syrian studies
