Dozens of people took part in a “rally in solidarity with Israel” in Suwayda governorate (southern Syria) on Wednesday, October 7, marking the anniversary of the October 7 attacks.

Enab Baladi’s correspondent in Suwayda reported that calls for the rally began two days earlier. Dozens of supporters of Hikmat al-Hijri, the spiritual leader of the Druze community in Suwayda, attended.

The correspondent added that dozens joined a vehicle procession before gathering in al-Karama Square in Suwayda city.

Enab Baladi observed participants carrying photographs of al-Hijri and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, alongside slogans reading, “We will not forget, we will not forgive” and “Different massacres, the same perpetrator.”

A group known as the al-Sumoud Battalion, affiliated with the National Guard, called on Suwayda residents through Facebook on Tuesday, October 6, to join a “solidarity rally.” It described the event as “honoring the victims and rejecting extremism, massacres, and violence against civilians.”

In its statement, the battalion said, “We remember the victims of massacres and violence against civilians in Israel, just as we remember the victims of the massacres in Jabal al-Bashan (southern Syria). We face the same phenomenon: extremism and religious and political violence practiced by political Islamist groups.”

It added, “From Israel to al-Bashan, people should not apply double standards when rejecting massacres, nor should the value of human life differ according to the victim’s identity.”

Israel commemorates October 7 following Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, carried out by the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) on October 7, 2023.

The operation killed around 1,200 Israelis and saw 251 Israeli hostages taken captive, before Israel launched a war on the Gaza Strip that continues to this day.

Israeli military operations have killed more than 74,000 Palestinians and injured another 175,000, amid international accusations that Netanyahu’s government is committing genocide in the besieged Palestinian territory.

Previous Expressions of Support for Israel

Suwayda has witnessed several rallies since the events of July 2025 in the governorate, with participants displaying photographs of Netanyahu and expressing support for Israel.

The latest such remarks came from al-Hijri in August, when he said that “the Druze are an integral part of the State of Israel and form one family with its communities.”

He added that the Druze had returned to their historical foundations, pointing to shared religious beliefs with the Israeli state. He described Israel as a state of institutions, knowledge, and civilization that develops people in the right way.

Al-Hijri’s remarks prompted rejection and warnings about their consequences among Syrians, including figures from Suwayda.

Syrian presidential adviser Ahmad Muaffaq Zaidan downplayed al-Hijri’s remarks, saying that his position represented neither Suwayda’s residents nor the Druze.

In an interview with the Saudi television channel al-Hadath on August 26, Zaidan said the steps taken by the Syrian state over the preceding year and a half were shaping Syria’s present and future. He added that some groups and parties were still pursuing interests unrelated to reconstruction and development.

Meanwhile, Suwayda resident Fadi al-Atrash expressed his rejection on Facebook of any infringement on the Arab and religious identity of the governorate’s residents.

“Members of the Druze community, who are Muslim monotheists, take pride in their Arab identity, preserve their history, and safeguard their dignity,” he said. “They do not allow anyone to reduce their identity or question their commitment to their religion, Arab identity, or roots.”

Political philosophy professor Khaldoun al-Nabwani said al-Hijri’s words represented him alone, warning against relying on Israeli promises concerning Suwayda’s independence or annexation to Israel.

In a Facebook post, al-Nabwani added that al-Hijri was once again falling into an Israeli trap. He argued that the promises made to him might be tied to Israel’s domestic and electoral calculations and did not amount to a long-term commitment to the governorate’s residents.