KINGSTON councillor Hadi Saab is calling for the federal government to offer help to Druze civilians fleeing violence in Syria.
Druze and Bedouin militants have been fighting in Sweida in southern Syria throughout July. More than 100 civilians have been killed, and a United Nations report states that at least 93,400 people have been displaced as of 20 July.
Saab, a committee member with the Druze Community Charity of Victoria, said that the Australian government should step in to assist civilians escaping the conflict.
“We have called for material aid and for humanitarian aid pathways to be opened. We have called on our government to condemn the prosecution and violence against Druze and all sectarian denominations,” Saab said. “We want support and pathways for visa allocations for Druze people and humanitarian pathways for people to escape the violence.”
On Sunday the Druze Community Charity of Victoria hosted an event at its Keysborough community centre to call for help. Saab said, “We are taking a national stand to show our support for Druze in Syria. They are our own families; our brothers, sisters, parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins being executed for being Druze.
“The majority of Druze people in Victoria reside in Kingston and Greater Dandenong. A lot of small businesses in Kingston are Druze-owned and managed. It’s our community, and we encourage anyone to show support.”
Druze Community Charity of Victoria president Sam Raydan has penned a letter to Foreign Minister Penny Wong asking for assistance.
“We, the Druze communities of Australia, are ready to work with government agencies, humanitarian bodies, and local support services to ensure that any resettlement efforts are supported and successful,” he said.
The conflict in Syria escalated on 16 July when Israel launched air strikes on Damascus and the predominantly Druze city of Sweida, claiming to be supporting the Druze factions. The following Monday, civilians were evacuated from Sweida after a ceasefire was declared.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 30 July 2025