In Israel, Druze community divided over military service

[High_Gravity]

In Israel, Druze community divided over military service

Reporting from Isfiyeh, Israel— Amal Asad began his barrier-breaking military career in the Israel Defense Forces after being drafted just days before the 1973 Yom Kippur War. He went on to become one of its first Arab paratroopers and retired as brigadier general, the second-highest rank achieved by a non-Jewish officer.

Rising in the ranks alongside future Israeli leaders such as Defense Minister Ehud Barak and former Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz, Asad says, he faced relatively few obstacles as a Druze Arab in the Jewish-dominated military. But he says retirement in 2000 hit him like "a slap in the face."

In terms of benefits, he says, he receives the same as any officer. But while other retired officers pursued political careers and lucrative jobs in the private sector, he runs a small business that recycles old tires and lives in the impoverished Druze town of Isfiyeh, where schools are overcrowded and roads need repair.

"When you fight for the state, you feel part of the team," said Asad, 56. "But when you do your part and then get nothing back, that's the slap. You realize you are not the same. It kills you."

As Israel debates whether to draft ultra-Orthodox Jewish men into its military, questions are also being raised about the role of Arab Israelis, who also are largely exempt from mandatory service. Although Arabs make up one-fifth of Israel's population, they are estimated to account for less than 5% of active soldiers.

As with ultra-Orthodox young men, Muslim and Christian Arabs are not required to serve in the army. Last month, however, the Supreme Court ruled that the exemption for religious students was unfair and illegal, raising questions about whether the same standard would apply to Arabs.

Some question whether the IDF is even willing to accept the large-scale enlistment of Arab soldiers.

"I'm not sure they want them in the military," said Reda Mansour, one of the top-ranking Druze diplomats in Israel's foreign service. "It would not be easy to have Arab commanders when we are fighting Arab enemies."

Arab Israelis are also leery, pointing to the disappointing experience of the Druze, who are the only Arabs now subject to the draft.

The Druze are members of a small, close-knit society that practices a little-known religion. Scattered around several Mideast countries, including Syria and Lebanon, the Druze typically embrace the government wherever they live, with no national aspirations of their own. They were early allies of Jewish independence fighters against the British, and after Israel's creation, they agreed to be subject to the military draft, betting it would earn them respect and support.

A measure of respect followed, but some Druze are questioning whether they received the support to which they believe they are entitled. A growing number of Druze leaders are balking at army service, complaining that their communities in Israel fare no better than other Arab villages, suffering from the same poor infrastructure and funding shortages.

In Israel, Druze community divided over military service - latimes.com

 

[Ropey]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3BOKUpFX78]daliat el carmel - druze village in israel[/ame]

I am Druze of Daliat-El Carmel. There is no occupation of Druze in Israel, we get more rights then Jews do. We also serve in the most elite units of the IDF that many Jews can hardly endure. We have thriving towns in Northern Israel, Members of Parliment in government always Likud.

Comments from Druze in Israel

The graphics are enough to see that the Druze are people who have stood with the Jews for countless centuries and are a serious part of the Israeli community.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=119JqvIgzeg]Druze wedding - YouTube[/ame]

 

[eots]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idsxgLjGXGI&feature=player_embedded]It's A Madhouse - YouTube[/ame]