Israel considering allowing entry of Syrian Druze communities for work

Israel is considering allowing the entry of Druze communities from Syria to work in the occupied Golan Heights, according to Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz. 

The plans were part of a "great commitment to our Druze friends in Syria", Katz said on Thursday. 

"We are currently considering allowing those nearby to come and work in the Golan Heights on a daily basis and are prepared to assist them through organisations and in various ways. We want to see them protected - and we are working towards this intelligently," he said.

Syria's Golan Heights, occupied by Israel since 1967, is mostly inhabited bymembers of the Syrian Druze community. 

Earlier this week, Israel carried out a series of air strikes on what it said were military bases in Syria, following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech on Sunday demanding a "complete demilitarisation" of the country’s south. At least two were killed in the attacks. 

READ MORE: Israel considering allowing entry of Syrian Druze communities for work