Israeli Druze | Israel Phenomenology | Unpacked

This week on Israel Phenomenology, we’re unpacking the Israeli Druze. This little known community is just one of the various ethnic groups that make up the diverse population of Israel.

The Druze are known for being loyal to whichever country they live in and the Israeli Druze are no exception. Such is the strength of their allegiance that the Druze say they have a blood covenant with the State of Israel.

So how does this community - an Arab-speaking, 1000-year offshoot of Shiite Islam - fit into Israeli society? Why do they serve in the Israeli army in higher numbers than Jewish Israelis? And just what does the controversial Nation-State Bill mean for them?

Let us know what you think by dropping your comments below and don’t forget to hit the subscribe button to make sure you don’t miss any of our videos.

Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:10 Israel's multiethnic/multicultural character
00:57 Equality in Israel's Declaration of Independence
01:47 Who are the Druze
02:45 The secret religion of Jethro
03:54 Loyal to the countries in which they live
04:33 Connection to the Druze experience
05:07 Enlistment into the Israel Defense Forces
05:26 High representation in the Israeli government
05:50 The Nation State Bill and controversy
08:08 Outro

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Credits:
- GPO: Kobi Gideon, Amos Ben Gershom, Moshe Milner, Haim Zach, Mark Neyman, David Rubinger, Yaacov Saar, Alpert Nathan, Frank Shershel, Avi Ohayon, Ziv Koren, Fritz Cohen, Zoltan Kluger, Moshe Pridan
- Flickr: Ingmar Zahorsky, Asim Bharwani, michel D'anastasio, zeevveez, Etienne Valois, Fr. Gaurav Shroff, Ana Ulin, Dennis Jarvis
- Getty Images

About Unpacked: We provide nuanced insights by unpacking all things Jewish. People are complex and complicated — yet we’re constantly being pushed to oversimplify our world. At Unpacked we know that being complex makes us more interesting. Because of this, we break the world down with nuance and insight to drive your curiosity and challenge your thinking.

#Israel #Culture #People

[guymind]

The Druze are extremely respected in Israeli society. And much respect for the research you've made for this

[yuda]

LOVE and RESPECT from an Israeli Jew to all my Druze brothers and sisters! Our alliance is eternal and unbreakable, it's been a long journey, and we're here together in the land God promised Moses, I'm very proud of you!!!

[jefflarin]

I am syrian and druze
All the love for druze in israel
I wish we could visit a beautiful country like israel ❤❤

[hannagg]

I love my Druze brothers & sisters, so much!!!! We are truly blessed to have such amazing, historic, cultured, & invaluable people, be in covenant w. us. Israel wouldn’t be Israel without them! 💕💕💕🥰🥰🥰🤩🤩🤩🤩✊🏻✊🏻✊🏻

[lucyns]

I am a syrian druze
So proud of my religion

[dovidell]

I admire the Druze for the way they are able to obligate themselves to their religion AND their country of birth ( in this case Israel), I wish more (ultra) religious Jews (in Israel) were able to emulate this amazing achievement .
Whenever I come across Druze when visiting the North of Israel, I thank them for their loyalty and commitment to Israel, it's the least I can do

[imnotpicklechevroblyat]

Druze are genuinely the nicest people who give the most to the country, and unfortunately get less of the rewards

[MaccabiHaifaVideos]

We love the Druze people
Our brothers 🇮🇱🇮🇱

[noamrotstain]

Us Jews find the Druze as our cousins, genetically, geographically, historically etc. They are very secretive like Judaism, must be loyal to their home country like Jews and have similar laws and codes (obviously there are still many differences but you get my point) and are a moral and non dogma based religions and ethnicities. Iv met some in my life in Israel and our interaction is never more than just a smile and helping eachother out with whatever.

[TheTruth-tcdi]

Israeli Druze are much more respected in Israel as Citizens while in Syria and Lebanon government not giving them basic human rights .
This religion is very peaceful and they appreciate fair treatment from Israeli Government.

[jackroy]

Highest percentage of Druze serving in the IDF is mesmerizing and amazing!

[amgadibnal-jabal]

💚❤️💛💙⚪
" Druze and proud "

[MozartJunior]

As an Israeli Jew, I must say that I feel like we Jews aren't giving the Druze enough respect and recognition for their contribution and involvement in the state. We are the first to show gratitude to them when they enlist in the army like us and for the sacrifice of their fallen soldiers, but we tend to forget about them when they finish their service. Their infrastructure in their towns is often old and unmaintained (their waterpipes sometimes freeze on cold days in the winter), they are treated like Arabs in security checks at the airport (which is a different issue in general, but the Druze definitely don't deserve that shitty attitude), and the government tends to ignore their opinion on domestic and national issues, like what happened with the Jewish State Basic Law a few years ago. They deserve to have recognition and quality of life more than all of us, and it makes me sad to see them being ignored by the public unless it is Memorial Day.

[zmail]

FUCK YEAH!!!! כמה אהבה לדרוזים אחים שלנו!!!! ❤❤❤❤

[HamInHashomron]

Like all democracies, Israel is not perfect and there is room for improvement in relation to Israeli Druze. Having said that, and having learned Arabic from my Druze teacher in high school, serving in the IDF with Druze, having a Druze financial advisor, being a guest in Druze homes in Israel, I can unequivocally say that the bond between Druze & Judeans in Israel transcends citizenship & politics. I cannot speak for all Judean Israelis, but I can say for myself & my friends, we have the highest respect for the Druze People in Israel, whom I see as my brothers & sisters in life & destiny.

[yechezkelmendoza]

As the torah teaches in Exodus 22:21 "Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt."

[anonymousnmd]

Love the Druze! Love to all Druze from an ethnic Aramean.

[chavelie]

Chloe, now more than ever, we need you back!! With more videos like these.

[ananmuadi]

You just got a comment from an Israeli Druze who lives in Yarka
Great video

[martinmartinmartin]

If only there were Arabs that have the same dedication as Israeli Druze.