Who Are the Druze? Why is Israel Protecting Them?

I confess that until I read the article below, I thought they were an Islamic splinter group outside the Sunni/Shia split, like the Whirling Dervishes.  Apparently,  they are not Muslims and have a pretty unique theology. 

Anyway, Israel has announced its intent to defend them from the new government in Syria.  

"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz instructed the Israel Defense Forces on Saturday to “prepare to defend” the Druze-majority city of Jaramana on the outskirts of Damascus in Syria.

"A statement issued by Katz’s office said the Damascus suburb was “currently under attack by the forces of the Syrian regime.”

"According to reports from Syria, authorities from the new Syrian government have been clashing with local Druze gunmen during a security campaign in Jaramana. At least one Syrian officer was killed, while another was captured and later released, the reports said.

“We will not allow the extreme Islamic regime in Syria to harm the Druze. If the regime harms the Druze, it will be struck by us,” Katz said."

From the rest of the report, it sounds more like one idiot member of the new government being stupid than a concerted effort.   It is a strong way to let the new government know, "Hands of the Kurds."

Threre is no strong reason that i can see for Israel to care about the Kurds except that they will act as a constraint on the more radical Islamic factions of the new Syrian government.