Israel has begun developing a pilot program that would enable Syrian Druze to work in Israeli towns on the Golan Heights, Israel's Kan public broadcaster reported.

The initiative was reportedly launched in response to requests from Druze communities in the Golan, who sought assistance from Israeli security officials and the military to support their counterparts across the border in Syria. According to Kan, the plan is being drafted by Major General Ghassan Alian, head of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) and a member of the Druze community himself.

Under the initial phase of the program, dozens of Syrian Druze workers will be employed in construction and agriculture within Druze towns on the Golan Heights.

Israeli officials have previously voiced concerns over the safety of the Druze population in southwestern Syria. They have issued warnings to the Syrian government against actions that could endanger the community and have raised the issue in discussions with foreign leaders, alongside concerns for Syria’s Kurdish population.