Druze demonstrate on the Syrian border
Photo: AFP
Druze spiritual leader: IDF must set red line to Nusra Front in Hader
Shaykh Muwaffak Tarīf tells Ynet Druze don't expect Israel to go into Syria or take over the village; 'the Nusra Front is under the watchful eye of the IDF, which could tell them: "Be careful, don't go near this village, to us this is a red line,"' he says.
Shaykh Muwaffak Tarīf, the spiritual leader of the Druze community in Israel,
said Sunday the Druze expect the IDF to set a red line to the Nusra Front in the Syrian Druze village of Hader after a terror attack
there claimed the lives of 18 people and wounded many others.
"We didn't ask and are not asking Israel to go into Syria or take over the village," Tarif told Ynet in an interview. "The Nusra Front is under the watchful eye of the IDF, which could tell them: 'Be careful, don't go near this village, to us this is a red line.' We're counting on the IDF to do this."
Shaykh Muwaffak Tarīf (Photo: Ido Becker)
Tarif talked about the attack on Hader, which led many Druze to riot near Majdal Shams on the Israel-Syria border, with ten of them breaking through a gate in the border fence and reaching several dozen meters into Syria. IDF forces gave pursuit and returned the Druze protesters to Israeli territory.
"The Nusra Front took over several hills near the village and started shooting indiscriminately. The Nusra Front is a terror organization. At the end of the day, it will aim its guns at us, the state (of Israel)," Tarif said. "We conveyed to the prime minister, the defense minister, the IDF chief and the GOC Northern Command that to us, this is a red line, and Israel must stand beside the Druze and protect this village, and not let the Nusra Front conquer it and slaughter its people."
GOC Northern Command Strick, right, with Druze spiritual leader Tarif, 2nd from right (Photo: IDF Spokesman's Office)
 |
Tarif said he received assurances from the GOC Northern Command the IDF would do whatever it takes to prevent the Nursa Front, and any other terror group, from advancing on the village.
