IDF nearly struck right-wing activists mistaken for terrorists near Syrian border

The Israeli military (IDF) came close to striking a group of five right-wing activists near the Syrian border, mistaking them for a terrorist squad attempting to infiltrate Israel. The incident occurred two weeks ago, according to Kan News.

Military surveillance identified the group near Mount Hermon, prompting the dispatch of Zik aircraft for an aerial strike. However, observers noticed the men had side curls, known as peyot, a sign of observant Judaism, which indicated they were not terrorists.

The group belonged to the HaBashan Pioneers movement, which seeks to establish Jewish settlements in Syrian territory. Several activists from this movement have been arrested recently for attempting to cross the border.

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This is a life-threatening criminal offense. The IDF expects law enforcement agencies to bring those involved to justice and to act decisively against this phenomenon.

The IDF confirmed the details, issuing a statement that "strongly condemned" the incident and similar cases. The military called the actions a "life-threatening criminal offense" and urged law enforcement to act decisively. The HaBashan Pioneers, however, stated they would continue their efforts to build settlements in Syria, claiming their activists had successfully entered and exited the area multiple times previously without detection. They asserted that the vastness of the region made it impossible for the army to maintain constant vigilance.

This near-strike follows other incidents, including one on July 5 where about 100 activists crossed into the Syrian side of Mount Hermon and were detained by the IDF, with accusations of excessive force. Another border-crossing attempt on July 13 resulted in detentions in the Golan Heights.

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Last week, our activists entered and left the area three times without anyone noticing them. The space is vast, and the army alone is not capable of holding at every point and at every hour. We will not stop until a magnificent Jewish settlement is established in the Bashan region.