Right-Wing Activists Keep Crossing Into Syria, Alarming Israel’s Security Establishment

Dozens of activists from the civilian right-wing movement "Pioneers of the Bashan," which works to promote Jewish settlement in the Bashan region of Syria and the Keter Hermon area, have crossed the northern border into Syrian territory in recent months — and in every case were returned to Israel by IDF forces. Even though each incident led to a police investigation and criminal case files were opened, no indictments have so far been filed against those involved.

The movement, which was founded in 2025, is at the center of a series of incidents that have taken place over the past several months along the northern border. In the security establishment, the phenomenon is being defined as a significant operational threat, with officials warning that this is not only a violation of the law, but also a real security risk that could disrupt the forces’ activity on the ground. During April, dozens of activists crossed the border in the Majdal Shams area, and on July 5, about 70 more activists were detained while trying to enter Syrian territory through the Hermon region.

According to security sources, every civilian infiltration into enemy territory requires the deployment of large forces to the scene, pulls fighters away from operational missions, and can interfere with sensitive security activity along the border. In closed-door conversations, senior figures in the security establishment criticized what they say is the lack of meaningful deterrent prosecution against those involved, even though investigative files are opened in every case.

Kan 11 reported last night that about two weeks ago, five suspects were identified near the Syrian border, and the IDF initially assessed that they were a terrorist cell. As a result, they were nearly attacked from the air, and only at the last moment did it become clear that they were right-wing activists operating in the border area. In the security establishment, the incident is seen as a stark illustration of the danger that civilian incursions into hostile territory can create — and of the potential for a serious operational mistake.

Despite the growing number of cases, the only indictment filed so far in connection with crossing the border into Syria involves entirely different circumstances. About a year ago, dozens of Druze crossed the border in order to help family members in the Sweida area. The indictment was filed against two northern residents after, upon their return from Syria, a Kalashnikov rifle and a magazine were found in their possession. The two were initially questioned by the Shin Bet, but it later became clear that the investigation was criminal in nature.

Israel Police said in response: "Israel Police views with severity any crossing of the country’s borders into enemy states in violation of the law and in a way that endangers the lives of forces operating in the area and those crossing the border. In every case in which suspects who crossed the country’s borders are transferred to Israel Police custody, an investigative file is opened against them, and at the conclusion of the required investigative actions, the file is transferred to the State Attorney’s Office for review and for the filing of indictments."

The State Attorney’s Office said: "So far, the State Attorney’s Office has not received investigative files concerning the incidents described. If such files are transferred, they will be examined in accordance with the evidence, the circumstances of the matter, and the prevailing enforcement policy."