In recent Alawite demonstrations along the Syrian coast, protesters held signs calling on Israel to protect the Alawite minority. Additional banners promoted broader protection for minorities in Syria, including Alawite, Druze, Kurdish, and Christian federal-style regions.
The minority from which ousted president Bashar al-Assad himself comes is now appealing to Israel for support. However, Israel has no strategic need to respond to these requests.
For decades, the Alawites and the Assad regime aligned themselves fully with Iran and its terror proxies, particularly Hezbollah. Under Assad’s rule, Syria transferred massive quantities of advanced weapons to Hezbollah—arms that were later used directly against Israel.
While cooperation with Kurds and Druze can be considered—largely because these groups do not define Israel as an enemy and have shown openness to engagement—any such cooperation must still be approached cautiously. Even then, it is based on shared interests rather than trust.
