Israeli-Islamist relations

• Druze community clashes began in Damascus after an audio clip criticizing Prophet Mohammed was shared on social media.

• Angry Sunni Islamists attacked Druze community members, leading to violence in Jarama, Sahnaya, and Sweida, southern Syria.

• Druze, a minority community, called for their religious and political rights to be protected after Bashar al-Assad’s regime fell.

• Israel carried out multiple air strikes against pro-government groups in Syria “to protect the Druze”.

• Druze religion emerged from Ismailism, an offshoot of Shia Islam, in 11th century Egypt.

• Druze believe in reincarnation and the Koran, but their faith is shaped by other eastern religions and Greek philosophy.

• Druze do not allow conversion and marriages outside the community are rare.

• Despite hardcore Islamists viewing them as heretics, the Druze have emerged as an influential sect in the Levant region.

• Today, roughly 1 million Druze people are scattered across Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Israel.

• Israel has been vocal about the protection of the Druze and has taken more Syrian territory in the Golan.

• Druze are currently choosing between domestic Islamists and a foreign force that occupies parts of Syria.