Tourism in the Golan: Druze community embraces Israeli identity

While the Golan Heights has long been affected by regional tensions and conflict, tourism in Druze villages such as Mas'ade is now being revitalized through the efforts of local entrepreneurs. According to Ynet, the younger Druze generation, which previously identified with Syria, is increasingly embracing an Israeli identity. Saleh Nahle, an owner of local vacation complexes, stated, "For many years, there were problems with how we defined ourselves. Today we are Israeli in every sense." This shift in attitude has been accelerated by events in Syria and the 2024 Hezbollah rocket strike on Majdal Shams. Alongside these changes, local businesses—including modern restaurants, pottery studios, and traditional dairy production—tell the story of a community in transition, blending ancient traditions with contemporary needs. Mika Shimonov, a culinary tour guide in the region, notes that this connection to the land and family forms the core of the cultural and culinary appeal of the Golan Druze.