The Druze Arabs of Israel, known for their fierce loyalty to the nation, are reportedly feeling let down and bitter. This comes after the passage of the Nation State law in 2018 which has sparked controversy for its implication that only Jews have the right to self-determination in Israel.
The Druze community, which makes up about 1.8% of Israel’s population, has been particularly affected by this law due to their unique status in Israeli society. This minority group is not Jewish but they are not Palestinian either. They speak Arabic but serve in the Israeli military, unlike other Arab Israelis. This sense of betrayal arises from the fact that they have played an integral part in the nation’s security and defense efforts but they are not equally acknowledged in the country’s laws.
Their loyalty has always stood out, as hundreds of Druze soldiers have lost their lives serving in the Israel Defense Forces(IDF). The Druze suffer a higher casualty rate in the military than any other ethnicity in Israel and many feel that their sacrifices have not been rewarded with equal treatment.
Protesting the law, thousands of Druze and their allies have held demonstrations demanding equal treatment. They have argued that such regressive legislation may lead to further discrimination and segregation. There is an ongoing demand to address this issue, to ensure social cohesion, equality, and the country’s democratic values are upheld.
Israel’s Druze Arabs, fiercely loyal to the state, feel let down after ‘paying with their blood’
The Druze Arabs of Israel, known for their fierce loyalty to the nation, are reportedly feeling let down and bitter. This comes after the passage of the Nation State law in 2018 which has sparked controversy for its implication that only Jews have the right to self-determination in Israel.
The Druze community, which makes up about 1.8% of Israel’s population, has been particularly affected by this law due to their unique status in Israeli society. This minority group is not Jewish but they are not Palestinian either. They speak Arabic but serve in the Israeli military, unlike other Arab Israelis. This sense of betrayal arises from the fact that they have played an integral part in the nation’s security and defense efforts but they are not equally acknowledged in the country’s laws.
Their loyalty has always stood out, as hundreds of Druze soldiers have lost their lives serving in the Israel Defense Forces(IDF). The Druze suffer a higher casualty rate in the military than any other ethnicity in Israel and many feel that their sacrifices have not been rewarded with equal treatment.
Protesting the law, thousands of Druze and their allies have held demonstrations demanding equal treatment. They have argued that such regressive legislation may lead to further discrimination and segregation. There is an ongoing demand to address this issue, to ensure social cohesion, equality, and the country’s democratic values are upheld.
