Netanyahu honors fallen IDF Druze heroes in personal visit
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited bereaved families on Monday in the Druze village of Julis, northern Israel.
The Druze community, which makes up 2% of Israel’s population, are Arabic speakers with their specific religion and culture. They are known for their valiance and excellence as soldiers in the IDF.
Since the Swords of Iron War began on Oct. 7, ten Druze soldiers have lost their lives defending Israel from Hamas terrorists: Major Jalaa Ibrahim (25); Captain Wassem Mahmoud (23); Master Sergeant Anwar Serhan, (26); Major Jamal Abbas (23); Lieutenant-Colonel Alim Abdallah (40); Lieutenant-Colonel Salman Habaka (33); Staff Sergeant Ali Malik Harb (19); Staff Sergeant Daniel Rashed (19) and Sergeant First Class Jawad Amer (23).
Speaking at the home of Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif, the leader of the community house in Julis, Netanyahu said: "I came to talk as the prime minister and as a brother, and I will refer to the two foundations of the longstanding partnership between us: A covenant of blood and a covenant of life.
“There is no life without the willingness to fight for life. To fight means both to lose the best of our sons, sometimes our daughters as well, against the wild people around us, who have slaughtered us – Jew and non-Jew alike. Jews, Druze, Circassians, Christians, Bedouin and Muslims – they would slaughter everyone if they could. This is what they wanted on October 7. Without the willingness to fight, there is no life. Without the willingness to sacrifice, it is impossible to fight. Without fighting, it is impossible to win. We are winning and we will not give up on victory. We are winning thanks to our joint heroism and sacrifice."
“I came here to bow my head before those who fell in the north and those who fell in the south, who stormed into the fire, who proved their heroism, sacrifice, leadership and personal example. I salute them and I salute the families.”
Recalling his own personal loss, when his brother Yoni Netanyahu was killed in Operation Entebbe in 1976, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu extended his sympthies to the those gathered in mourning.
“I would like to say a few additional words as the son of a bereaved family. I know the magnitude of the pain. I say this from the depths of my heart, and there is one consolation: Consolation that our heroes, our loved ones who fell, have truly made possible our life here, and on this occasion, I say it is a covenant of life, a covenant of brothers, between us, a covenant of brothers and sisters. I would like to convey to you my wife's greetings and those of all citizens of Israel, and a big, strong embrace, in the hope that we will know sorrow no more."
Though small in number, the Druze hold a significant and respected place in Israeli society.
"The bond between the Druze community and the Jewish people in the State of Israel is a deep bond that has endured for eight decades and is built on a common vision and values. It exists thanks to the fighters' heroism and a steadfast and true covenant," said Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif in response to the prime minister.
“The heroism of the Druze fallen was due to the values they were raised on by their families, faith in the justice of the cause, and perfect faith that they fell defending the citizens and residents of the state, in all sectors, thanks to the values and principles of the Druze community and the partnership and covenant of life in the state," he added.
“Today and every day, we must salute the fallen. We must honor the families that have lost what is most dear to them, whose worlds were destroyed in a moment, but who believe and hope that their sacrifice was not in vain. We must also salute the dozens of fighters and commanders who have been wounded in battle, and the thousands of conscript and reserve soldiers who left everything and were mobilized, who saw the mobilization orders as the dictate of their conscience to defend the country."
Mona, the widow of Lt.-Col. Alim Abdallah, added: "We have no other country. We sacrificed what is most dear to us and it must be made certain that the blood of our soldiers is not in vain."
We recommend to read:
Jo Elizabeth has a great interest in politics and cultural developments, studying Social Policy for her first degree and gaining a Masters in Jewish Philosophy from Haifa University, but she loves to write about the Bible and its primary subject, the God of Israel. As a writer, Jo spends her time between the UK and Jerusalem, Israel.
