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Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit
Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eizenkot
Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit

IDF chief of staff visits Druze community ahead of Eid al-Adha

Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eizenkot visits the tomb of Sheikh Amin Tarif in northern Druze village in an attempt to mend ties with the minority community following a passing of contentious Nation-State Law; ‘In order for the military to fulfill its mission, it requires high-caliber people in its ranks, and I witness the contribution of the Bedouin and Druze communities each time I visit the IDF.'

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eizenkot, visited on Friday the tomb of Sheikh Amin Tarif—the Druze's holy place, in the northern Druze village and local council of Julis, ahead of the upcoming Eid al-Adha holiday, also known as the “Festival of Sacrifice.”

 

 

During the visit, Eizenkot met with representatives of the Druze community and its spiritual leader Sheikh Moafaq Tarif, as well as representatives of the Bedouin community.

 

The chief of staff also met with Druze and Bedouin IDF officers during the visit and discussed the IDF’s efforts to integrate the minority populations into the IDF ranks.

 

 (Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)
(Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)

 

The IDF said that over the past year there has been a 30 percent increase in the recruitment of members of the Bedouin community, while the Druze community has continued its integration into a wider range of IDF units.

 

Lt. Gen. Eizenkot also reiterated the importance of the minority communities’ contribution to the country’s military during his speech.

 

"In order for the military to fulfill its mission, it requires high-caliber people in its ranks, and I witness the contribution of the Bedouin and Druze communities each time I visit the IDF. We need to look with pride at the past 70 years, as well as look 70 years ahead for a common future. It’s not about integration but rather about a shared responsibility and a mutual commitment.

 

"The proof of that is the increasing number of Druze IDF officers and Bedouin enlistment. The IDF gives its young people an equal opportunity no matter where they come from and we will continue to integrate all soldiers of different ethnic groups," Eizenkot exclaimed.

 

 (IDF Spokesperson's Unit)
(IDF Spokesperson's Unit)

 

The head of the Population Administration, Lieutenant-Colonel Shadi Abu Fares, emphasized that the IDF can greatly assist the communities by integrating them into Israeli society.

 

"The Population Administration is a body that is responsible for integrating all members of all minority communities into the IDF, we see the whole picture, starting with the recruitment process, the service itself and the day after release. Many see the IDF as an excellent platform for integrating into Israeli society. We believe in empowering and expanding the recruitment of minorities to the IDF ranks and we expect to see minority soldiers in a variety of units,” he concluded.

 

The visit comes in light of the passing of a controversial Nation-State Law, which the Arab-speaking minority communities in Israel view as discriminatory.

 

The Nation-State Law, emphasizes that the State of Israel is the nation-state of the Jewish people and that Hebrew is the official language of the state. Arabic was defined as having a special status, with the official state use of Arabic to be determined in separate legislation

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 08.18.18, 13:06
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