Far-right Israeli minister calls for assassination of Syria’s President al-Sharaa over Druze persecution

"I embrace our Druze brothers – they're our brothers in every way," said Ben-Gvir, noting that some 100 members of the community serve in the Israel Border Police, which falls under his purview as minister.

Meanwhile, Benny Gantz, a past member of Israel’s War Cabinet and a former chief of staff of the IDF, told JNS on Monday that "it's very good that the State of Israel is supporting the Druze" in Syria.

"It's the responsibility of al-Sharaa to make sure that Syria is not being pushed into the ongoing jihadist approach. If that would be the direction, then any option should be on the table," continued Gantz, who leads the opposition Blue and White Party in the Knesset.

"I think we should try and seek other opportunities, not just fighting, but if we have to fight, we'll fight, and once we decide to fight, nothing is out of the question," he said.

And Yisrael Beiteinu Party leader Avigdor Liberman, who served as defence minister between 2016 and 2018, argued that Israel should set new ground rules with Syria "as quickly as possible”.

"To ensure the security of the State of Israel, in the Syrian context, that means two things. First, to protect the lives of the Druze there. Second – and we're talking about a range of 60 to 70km – there shouldn't be any jihadist militias there," Liberman said.

According to Liberman, "It doesn't matter if they're disguised as soldiers or as something else. At the end of the day, they're jihadists ... the entire group from Idlib is a collection of radicals from all over the world."

Syria remains "the kingdom of the most radical groups in the Muslim world," Liberman claimed, adding that, even though al-Sharaa "suddenly wore a jacket or a suit, that doesn't change anything".

The IDF carried out a series of airstrikes in southern Syria last week, targeting militias accused of participating in the attacks on Druze villages. The IDF also attacked Damascus, hitting the entrance to the Syrian army’s headquarters.

Defense Minister Israel Katz defended the move on Monday, saying that "those who criticise the attacks are not well-versed in the facts”.

"Israel's attacks on regime targets in Sweida and Damascus were the only way to stop the massacre of Druze in Syria, the brothers of our Druze brothers in Israel," he said.

The Jewish state's policy, "including the IDF presence on Mount Hermon and the security zone and the protection of the Druze, is correct and responsible, reflecting strength and mutual responsibility," the defence minister said.

But US special envoy for Syria Tom Barrack, who also serves as ambassador to Turkey, told the Associated Press on Monday that Israel's intervention created "another very confusing chapter" and "came at a very bad time”.

"Israel's view was that south of Damascus was this questionable zone, so that whatever happened militarily in that zone needed to be agreed upon and discussed with them," Barrack said. "The new government [in Syria] coming in was not exactly of that belief."

In the talks leading up to the ceasefire that he announced on Friday, Barrack said that "both sides did the best they can".

He added: "Whether you accept that Israel can intervene in a sovereign state is a different question."

It comes after the White House confirmed that US President Trump was “caught off guard” by the strikes.

However, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasised the strength of Trump’s relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, adding: “The president enjoys a good working relationship with Bibi Netanyahu, and stays in frequent communication with him.”