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Israel's Druze conscientious objectors
Though over-represented in the Israeli military, some men from the Druze community refuse to serve.
Dana Ballout Last updated: 08 Jan 2014 20:04
Omar Saad, an 18-year-old Druze man from northern Israel, was released on Wednesday from his second term in prison for refusing conscription into the Israeli army.
He is expected to return to prison on January 12, and like other conscientious objectors before him, Saad's continued rejection could lead to several more prison terms before being released for good.
Netanyahu's comment came in response to a highly publicised incident last month in which Druze soldiers were denied access to the Dimona nuclear site for a military drill, while fellow Jewish soldiers were waved in. Israeli Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Muwaffak Tarif called the event an unacceptable insult to the Druze, showing blatant discrimination against the soldiers based on their religion.
Professor Amir Khnifess, a scholar on the relationship between Druze and the state of Israel, said it's complicated to be Druze in Israel - particularly as a soldier. For many Druze, he said, serving in the Israeli military has little to do with loyalty to the Jewish state and more to do with seeking a better standard of living.
"The Druze don't serve in the army because they hate Palestinians, they do so because serving in the army will give you economic benefits," he explained. "You are already facing discrimination for not being Jewish, so [the Druze] want to reduce the level of discrimination by serving in the army."
Israel s Druze conscientious objectors - Features - Al Jazeera English
I brought this up as I was curious that Daniyel brought up an article about a Druze female being high up in the IDF, so as I don't care, but seeing that the Druze are from all over the area and just wondered how some might feel if fighting against their distant relatives.
It doesn't' say much but in the 50's I imagine the Druze being an minority in Israel, became fighters in the IDF to keep from relocating or being treated poorly is the only thing I can think of. I find it odd that the IDF had so many Arabs fighting against Arabs, but I found this article and this one Druze is going to jail for not serving.
So is it mandatory yet for the Druze men to serve in the IDF or not, do all Israeli citizens have mandatory service.
I remember I read a article not long ago, how the US will use Arabs to fight for us instead of our US men, they are cheaper, less strain on VA hospitals and we don't need to take care of the disabled for life. They need work, I guess you can call it, and we need fighters.
Though over-represented in the Israeli military, some men from the Druze community refuse to serve.
Dana Ballout Last updated: 08 Jan 2014 20:04
Omar Saad, an 18-year-old Druze man from northern Israel, was released on Wednesday from his second term in prison for refusing conscription into the Israeli army.
He is expected to return to prison on January 12, and like other conscientious objectors before him, Saad's continued rejection could lead to several more prison terms before being released for good.
Netanyahu's comment came in response to a highly publicised incident last month in which Druze soldiers were denied access to the Dimona nuclear site for a military drill, while fellow Jewish soldiers were waved in. Israeli Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Muwaffak Tarif called the event an unacceptable insult to the Druze, showing blatant discrimination against the soldiers based on their religion.
Professor Amir Khnifess, a scholar on the relationship between Druze and the state of Israel, said it's complicated to be Druze in Israel - particularly as a soldier. For many Druze, he said, serving in the Israeli military has little to do with loyalty to the Jewish state and more to do with seeking a better standard of living.
"The Druze don't serve in the army because they hate Palestinians, they do so because serving in the army will give you economic benefits," he explained. "You are already facing discrimination for not being Jewish, so [the Druze] want to reduce the level of discrimination by serving in the army."
Israel s Druze conscientious objectors - Features - Al Jazeera English
I brought this up as I was curious that Daniyel brought up an article about a Druze female being high up in the IDF, so as I don't care, but seeing that the Druze are from all over the area and just wondered how some might feel if fighting against their distant relatives.
It doesn't' say much but in the 50's I imagine the Druze being an minority in Israel, became fighters in the IDF to keep from relocating or being treated poorly is the only thing I can think of. I find it odd that the IDF had so many Arabs fighting against Arabs, but I found this article and this one Druze is going to jail for not serving.
So is it mandatory yet for the Druze men to serve in the IDF or not, do all Israeli citizens have mandatory service.
I remember I read a article not long ago, how the US will use Arabs to fight for us instead of our US men, they are cheaper, less strain on VA hospitals and we don't need to take care of the disabled for life. They need work, I guess you can call it, and we need fighters.