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Syria fighting shatters unity of Druze in Golan
Associated Press
Published: 16.08.12, 13:58
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8 Talkbacks for this article
1. If your Syrians pick up a gun cross the border & fight
zionist forever   (08.16.12)
We don't need Druze, Arabs or anybody else living in the ISRAELI OWNED Golan. Those Druze who see Assad as their savior from Israel have happily been living in Israel for all these years, many have probably taken Israeli citizenship for the benefits it brings them so time to chose sides and live in the territory of the side they chose.
2. The Zionists were right
israel israeli ,   tel aviv   (08.16.12)
The Leftists were wrong and the Zionists were right. The only way to preserve the legitimate rights of the Druze is for Israel's sovereignty to extend into portions of what is currently called Syria (thanks to the post-WWI British and French occupation), allow the Druze from Syria to move to Israel and make them full citizens. Sadly, the Leftists are more concerned with attacking the Jews then caring for human rights of the Druze.
3. Easy dicision - shun Assad
Rami of Nazareth ,   Israel   (08.16.12)
They should be pro democracy and anti the brutal regime of Assad. Even if assad falls, they will still under Israeli sovereignty and out of reach or radical islam
4. #1 and 3 - They're concerned about their families in Syria.
Henry from New York ,   USA   (08.16.12)
5. To nr 4 - Their concerns are not our concerns
Alexander ,   Tel Aviv, Israel   (08.16.12)
The non Jews of Israel are pushing the very limits of what democracy can tolerate. Democratic rights cannot be extended to minorities at the expense of the very survival of the host nation that is gracious enough to let them live here. It's nice to see that you are concerned about our minorities and our neighbors. It would also be nice for a change if you would be equally concerned or even more concerned about your fellow Jews living in Israel. Visiting us Henry makes you no friend.
6. #5 - Repeating what I've read and learned from Israel
Henry from New York ,   USA   (08.17.12)
If I may though, Druze are equal citizens before the law in Israel. They are the only people other than Jews required to serve in the IDF and they do so willingly, don't they? They are Israelis in every sense of the word. They also have to worry about their family across the borders just as a Jew in Israel would worry about family in a dangerous part of the world (I can't say Arab World as so few remain there, of course, but you get what I mean). They are just arguing amonst themselves now, which doesn't test the limits of the considerable freedoms granted in Israel (what Zaobi does on the other hand...). If they started doing actual harm to the State (spying, trading secrets, acts of terrorism) en masse then it would be a test and possibly call for internment until things had settled down. Until then though, you shouldn't just discount their loyalty over the past 64 years and treating them like aliens just because they're arguing with each other. Is that how loyalty is repaid? Some of the Arab Israelis deserve this treatment, sure enough, but not the Druze. When my country went to war against the Germans twice, there were arguments about fighting for the US or for the Fatherland amongst German families (significantly fewer in WWII of course). Not whether or not to support a regime change, but whether they should fight against their ancestral homeland and possibly family or their new home (though there wasn't as much danger to the US in the first War). Almost all of the German Americans chose to fight for the US in both conflicts (of course if it had been the other way around... well, that's a large fraction of the population). Be happy with some of these Druze it's just talk about whether to support one dictator or whatever equally or even more awful thing will replace the current guy (at least with Assad you have thee status quo) and not violence against the State. I show concern for my fellow Jews all the time - especially those living in zones that are currently under threat. The Bubble isn't yet, thankfully. The only problem I have is when my fellow Jews on this site forget that they are human beings.
7. To: No. 6
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (08.18.12)
Henry, only a small percentage of Druze in the Golan accepted Israeli citizenship when the Golan was annexed. Most preferred to remain Syrian. That is in very sharp contrast to Israeli Druze, who are, for the most part, loyal Israelis -- although there are a number who have spied on behalf of Hezbollah and other elements hostile to Israel. In my opinion, the Druze in the Golan who rejected Israeli citizenship should not have been permitted to remain following annexation, much the way the Arabs in East Jerusalem who rejected Israeli citizenship in 1967 should have been repatriated to Jordan instantly. Also -- you need to brush up a bit on the history of World War II. A very good place to start would be reading up on the Nazi Bund movement in the United States. At one point, they had several million dues-paying members.
8. #7
Henry from New York ,   USA   (08.24.12)
According to the US Holocaust Memorial Museum they had only 25.000 dues paying members at their height. A website dedicated to the organisation places the main membership at 50.000-60.000. Where did the several million number come from? That is the sad thing about the Golani Druze, but #5 seemed to be speaking against ALL of the Druze. That's what irked me.
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