are amongst the finest people I have ever met. I am saying this after having been round the world several times and experiencing many cultures at close quarters. They conduct themselves with dignity and show respect to others. I am proud to have served with some in the army and I only wish I could say such warm words for our Haredim. Alas, I can not. It makes me sad.

eventhough Druze sacrifice their life to defent the jewish state, still: 1- They are considered 2nd class citizens 2- Many right wing jews , specially settleres hate the druze just because they are druze, and would not even let them set food in their settlements

Many people who love Israel and were proud to serve in the IDF, including right-wingers, DO appreciate the excellent contributions of Druze soldiers and officers loyal to the State of Israel. I know that I and all of my (like-minded) friends appreciate them and their service more than secular and religious draft-dodgers, and would pick a Druze over a 'sensitive' Tel-Avivian to serve with any day of the week. My company commander in officer's course was Druze and he was VERY respected by all sides of the spectrum. I can understand how incidents such as the abadonment of Madhat Yusuf at Joseph's tomb in 2000 can create the feeling that Druze are not adequately appreciated. But just for the record, MANY Jewish soldiers, officers, and civilians - including right-wing ones - were incensed about his treatment.

who feels he is a second class citizen. I personally think they are first class citizens, in all respects. As for settlers hating them and not letting them into their settlements, I do not know where you take this from but all I can say is that the settlers probably hate me also. I am not leftist by any measure, but I am anti extreme religious behaviour, in fact I am anti any ideology based on religion.

parasites and their cows are no class!

low class, very low class.

"I am anti extreme religious behaviour, in fact I am anti any ideology based on religion. " You are obviously ignoring the fact that the Druze only support Israel because of their "extreme religious ideology" in supporting the country in which they live. I guess it's another one of those things that are only ok when non-Jews do it.

Such language should not be part of anybody's vocabulary - Jew or not Jew - when referring to Yeshiva men and their wives and daughters, or any Jew whatsoever. You hate and you promote hate. Your feelings are poisoning and weakening your own home country. Those Jews are not a threat to you. They don't want to kill you or throw you into the sea. They don't strap bombs to themselves to blow up your friends or family. Just leave them alone. If you resent the breaks they get, then reform your electoral system and get your MKs to change the legislation. In the meantime, focus on those who really mean you harm.

Tzahal defends Israeli lives daily. To the Druzim who serve: you are heroes. Thank you! To the people posting: there are also Haredim who DO serve with distinction, and there are people from Tel Aviv who DO serve with distinction. Please avoid vicious attacks on entire populations. Thanks.

whether in Palestine or Lebanon, they stand with the strong... This is their history...

we need druzim in our army.

You havent a clue on what your talking about. You just seek to divide. You have never lived in a settlement and wouldnt know the truth of it. I have. Many were stationed in former Gush Katif and other places and settlers brought them food every night and on shabbat. Many druze are on a first name basis with many of the settlers. So dont go talking about which you know nothing about. I am just sorry many are now used to evict Jews from theyre homes, but theyre not Jews nor can I expect them to have any Jewish ideology, so for them it is a case of just following orders, which Jews should never do, but thats another issue.

Why do you define this aspect of the Druze religious beliefs as "extreme?" Many religions (including Judaism) require their adherents to support the country in which they live. There's nothing exteme about that.

Two things, my friend. There is nothing extreme about the Druze religion. It is a religion devoted totally to the wellbeing of the family and the community. They have no mosques or temples, no Imams or holy men, but rather just respected Elders. The second thing is that their "ideology" of serving their country is based on pragmatism and is no different from the dictum of our ancient Sages, "dina demalchuta dina". Respect the law of the land.

Israel fell to the Romans because of extreme zealots, Israel will fall again because the modern zealots, the Haredim, are dividing the Nation. A house divided can not stand. They actually present a greater problem to the State than our enemies. We know how to deal with our enemies, we do not know how to deal with our internal dividers. Harsh words but true and only when we realize this and admit to it will we wake up to the truth. Our enemies have realized this a long time ago and have capitalized on it. This has nothing to do with hate or incitement, it is dealing in facts.

They shirk their duty.They take money from the state that could be put to better use. They elect fools to the knesset that run to their "rabbi" to ask for advice for defense matters. They are parasites and as much a fifth column as the arabs. They do not want to kill us that is true.Then who would be left to support them and their pathetic parasitic families. We hate them as much as they hate us. I just do not like having them around and listening to their nonsense that yeshiva is more important than the I.D.F. We are here due to the I.D.F. and not to their praying.

When you start using the word "they" then you condemn all . This is unfair and shows prejudice. Not far from your home in Afula are hundreds of ultraorthodox serving in the Jordan valley. Thousands of orthodox(religous Zionists) also bravely serve many in elite units. It would also be wrong to use the word "they" in describing the left wing youth in Ramat Aviv and North Tel Aviv who also have there share of draft dodgers.

We all know that there are religious folks who sereve in the forces. We all know that there are religious folks who are ardent Zionists just like Jason from Afula and myself. Why do you keep on pointing this out, it is a known and accepted fact. "They" means the HAREDIM who are nothing short of parasites and indeed are put to even more shame by the Druze and their dedication. Prayers and Torah study have nothing to do with the fact that we have survived in this tough world. The only reason we have survived is Jason and I and hundreds of thousands of others like us, including Druze who took and continue to take, rifle in hand, and defend this country and Nation. Jason expressed his hatred. I express my total contempt for "they". It is time that people understand who we mean by "they".

I was saying that the word "they " is incorrect because it implies "all". As a Doctor in the reserves (milium) part of my duties is to visit different army bases. I have seen and treated ultraorthodox Israeli soldiers serving in the Jordan Valley.(not far from Jason in Afula). If you don't want to believe me then I suggest you take a drive there. I felt that Jason should have used the word "most" yet not "they" which condemns them all. By the way the ultraorthodox fighting units in the Jordan Valley are doing an excellent job and are part of the reason why Afula has returned to normalicy after the horror of just a few years ago.