Gabbai, angers Druze
Photo: Alex Kolomoisky
Druze officers want Gabbai dismissed
Following Prime Minister's Office director's comments that 'Druze instill fear', organization of community's former officers sends letter to PM Netanyahu demanding he resign. Say 'man in his position can't make such statements'
Prime Minister's Office Director Eyal Gabbai's comments that "the word 'Druze' instills terror on government ministries" have angered many, and caused the organization of former Druze officers sent a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday calling for Gabbai's dismissal.
"We are very concerned with the fact that a man in such a high position makes such statements," chairman of the organization, Said Abdel Halk told Ynet. "It seems we are only good for the army and not for anything else."
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"It can't be that a man in his position, not a man off the street, can say something like this. Therefore, we demand his resignation."
The organization's letter to the PM read: "We were shocked by his racist statements... The racist reflects a very dangerous institutional approach in his words."
In their letter, the officers also demanded the prime minister himself apologize to the entire Druze community.
Gabbai's comments were made in a speech to the business sector, in which he outlined bureaucratic difficulties in government ministries. He gave the example of difficulties in laying a natural gas pipeline to Haifa, because it would have to pass through Druze villages.
"It can't be that such a fuss is made over a gas pipe," Abdel Halk said in response. "They want to pass a pipe? Let them pay for the expropriation.
"There isn't a single Druze village that hasn't had land expropriated. We are the only community that has suffered so much from land grabbing. Therefore, we protest his comments and are very surprised to here these things."
'Only army values Druze'
Colonel Mahanna Canaan (res.), who resides in the northern village of Yirka, said, "It is obvious that if the director says such things, he is not familiar with the law-abiding Druze community. The Druze give all they can to the State, but if Gabbai were in their place, he would not enjoy being a Druze."I have given dozens of years to Israel's security. Actually, the army is one of the only places that understands and values the Druze – but the decision makers don't… The politicians take advantage of the fact that we lack political and religious leadership, and are just working us over.
"After the army, there is no assistance in finding jobs for veteran soldiers. We live far from the center of the country, and it is hard enough for many of us to find a livelihood. Many live under the poverty line and even lack suitable lighting on the roads."
