Druze Arabs In Israel: Unwavering Loyalty Yet Deeply Hurt After ‘Paying With Their Blood’

Israeli society is a kaleidoscope of cultures, religions, and ethnic groups, each with unique characteristics, customs, practices, and allegiances. One such community often overlooked but vital to understanding the country’s story is the Druze Arabs. Known for their fierce loyalty to the nation, these citizens of Israel are now expressing a palpable sense of disappointment and betrayal. Despite their allegiance, service, and the many sacrifices—both metaphorically and literally made through bloodshed—the Druze community feels let down by the state they ardently supported. Inscribed in the DNA of the Druze people is a deep dedication to the land they call home. Although Arabic-speaking and ethnically from the Arab League, the Druze community has enjoyed a unique religious sense of identity. In Israel, this distinctiveness extended to patriotic support for the state. Almost all Israeli Druze men serve in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), notably in combat roles, with a higher enlistment percentage than Israeli Jews. This statistic is a clear testament to their commitment and allegiance. Yet, recent developments have led the Druze community to question its place in Israeli society. In 2018, the enactment of the Nation-State Law, which explicitly defined Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people, presented a stark paradox to the Druze. On the one hand, they have steadfastly defended the state, shedding blood for its causes. On the other hand, this legislation seemingly negates their involvement, truncating their rights to self-determination, and leaving them feeling as second-class citizens. With the Nation-State Law, the Druze who have awarded a significant part of their lives to protect and uphold the Israeli state’s ideals, face an uncomfortable reality. Their years of dedication and sacrifice, their lives risked and often lost in military service are not just undervalued, but completely disregarded in determining the ultimate character of the state. The sense of betrayal this sparked in the Druze community can be observed in nationwide protests, voicing their frustration and discontentment with this state development. It is also essential to mention the Druze’s socio-political position, which directly influences their perception of their unwavering support to the state. As a marginal community within Israel, the Druze have struggled with socio-economic disadvantages, including lower wages, inadequate public services, and limited political representation. Although they have exhibited unwavering loyalty to the state, they understandably feel that their needs and rights are not respectfully addressed. The Nation-State Law seems to reflect this disregard in robust legal terms. Unsurprisingly, this sense of disappointment and disillusionment has begun to influence Druze youths’ perception of mandatory military service. The steady stream of young Druze enlisting to serve the Israeli state is experiencing notable waverings and hesitations. The Israeli Druze’s allegiances and contributions offer thought-provoking insights into Israel’s socio-political landscape. Now, the less explored narrative of their disappointment and feeling of betrayed loyalty is equally enlightening, underscoring the need for change. As the Israeli Druze grapple with the implications of the Nation-State Law, their struggle serves as a reminder of the delicate balances within Israel’s diverse society and the potential pitfalls of legislation seemingly insensitive to minority communities’ needs and contributions.