'Can Druze soldiers be shot?'

TEL AVIV - A Druze soldier from the village of Julis asked whether is was true that a Jewish law permitted the shooting of Druze soldiers at the time of evacuation.

The soldier directed the question at Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz and Justice Minister Tzipi Livni who were touring Gaza to meet with soldiers ahead of the planned Gaza disengagement.

“What does that mean?” the soldier asked. “When there is no disengagement we are considered good soldiers, and when there’s evacuation we can be shot at?”

Livni responded by saying such queries prompted them to come and speak with soldiers.

"We will not allow words to be turned into tools of incitement," she said.

“We are dealing with Israel's image, and we will not permit anyone to incite or rebel.” She said.

Livni added that she knew many soldiers were facing problems that went beyond the regular duties of military service; the judicial system would support those soldiers not only technically by filing indictments and making arrests, but also by providing moral support, she said.

'This is a national mission, not just a military one'

Mofaz also responded to the Druze soldier saying the matter is grave.

“I don’t see any difference among the soldiers sitting here. I was also a victim of incitement and Jewish laws. There is no difference among the tasks assigned to IDF troops, regardless of their faith," Mofaz said.

"You are entitled to all the legal support for executing the assignments at hand. Even the prime minister was a victim of incitement." He said. “We shall stand by your side and give you all the support necessary to carry out your duties, including disengagement."

Deputy Chief-of-Staff Dan Halutz, who is set to take up office as chief-of-staff prior to the pullout, said the inciters must be dealt with harshly.

"The fact that such a question was asked by a Druze soldier is insignificant. Every soldier regardless of his faith, would have received the same response," he said.

“A soldier is a soldier is a soldier,” Halutz said. "This is a national mission, not just a military one."