Record number of Druze applying for Israeli citizenship amid regional shifts

The number of Druze in Israel applying for citizenship has reached historic highs, marking a major shift in the community’s relationship with the State of Israel. Driven by the war with Hamas and Hezbollah and the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria, more Druze from the Golan Heights are seeking to formalize their status as Israeli citizens.

According to data collected by Shomrim, the percentage of Druze in the Golan Heights holding Israeli citizenship has now reached 20%, double the rate at the start of the 21st century.

The Population and Immigration Authority reports that in the past three years, Israel has approved 1,126 Druze citizenship requests more than double the 539 approvals between 2017 and 2021.

Historically, most Druze in the Golan Heights, which Israel captured in 1967 and annexed in 1981, declined Israeli citizenship. At the time, only a small number applied, fearing repercussions from Syria. Citizenship was once a controversial issue within the community, with some members facing boycotts for choosing Israeli nationality.

However, this long-standing taboo has gradually faded, and the latest data suggests an increasing sense of belonging among the Druze population in Israel.

One of the most significant turning points for the Druze community was the recent war between Israel and Hezbollah. The Lebanese terror group launched a missile that struck the Druze town of Majdal Shams, killing 12 children playing football. This attack further solidified many Druze residents’ identification with Israel, seeing Hezbollah as a direct threat to their people.

Additionally, the Druze in Israel and the Golan Heights have historically maintained ties with Syria. Many were fiercely loyal to the Assad regime, hoping that Damascus would one day reclaim the Golan Heights. However, Syria’s collapse and Assad’s weakening grip have made it clear that the region will remain under Israeli control indefinitely.

Dr. Yusri Hazran, a research fellow at Shalem College, explains that geopolitical realities are reshaping the Druze community’s outlook.

“The Druze see their mother country disintegrating with the fall of the Assad regime, and they are looking for an anchor,” Hazran told the Times of Israel.

He predicts that the rise in Druze citizenship applications will continue:

“I believe that the upward trend in citizenship requests will continue. I can’t think of anything that would change the graph in the coming years. On the contrary, I estimate that a further increase is expected.”

The Druze community in Israel has long played a unique role in the country’s society and security. Unlike other Arab communities, the Druze are drafted into the IDF, and many serve in elite units. With more Druze in the Golan Heights embracing Israeli citizenship, their integration into Israeli society is expected to grow even stronger.

This historic shift underscores Israel’s stability and strength as a home for all who seek security and a future. Share this story and subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on Israel’s latest developments.