unfair policies toward the community

Druze leader in Israel criticizes government over treatment of community

Spread the love

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, together with ISA Director Ronen Bar, met with Shaykh Mowafaq Tarif, the spiritual leader of the Druze community in Israel [@IsraeliPM/Twitter]

The spiritual leader of Israel’s Druze community, Mowafaq Tarif, on Tuesday criticized the government of Benjamin Netanyahu over unfair policies toward the community, Anadolu reports.

Israel’s public broadcaster KAN reported that Tarif pointed to housing shortages and the government’s refusal to connect thousands of Druze homes to the electricity grid, citing issues including a lack of building permits and planning constraints.

“The sacrifices of members of the community for Israel’s security are met with unjust government policies,” Tarif said.

He made the remarks during a memorial ceremony for soldiers killed in action held at a military cemetery in Isfiya in northern Israel, which was marked by tension and sharp criticism of the government.

The annual memorial precedes Israel’s Independence Day, which marks the establishment of the state on occupied Palestinian land and is observed on Wednesday according to the Hebrew calendar.

“Hundreds of gravestones in military cemeteries are the clearest evidence of the central role and deep contribution of the Druze community in protecting the state’s security,” Tarif said.

He added: “But these great sacrifices have not changed the difficult reality in Druze villages.”

“Thousands of homes remain unconnected to the electricity grid, reflecting a significant gap between the duties of military service and the basic civil rights the community has demanded for years without success,” he said.

READ: Jerusalem Latin cleric condemns destruction of Jesus statue by Israeli soldier

Tarif has previously called for international intervention in Syria, claiming that Druze in Suwayda province in southern Syria face “terrorist attacks.”

Syrian authorities have repeatedly said they guarantee equal rights for all groups and accused Israel of using the Druze as a pretext to interfere in Syrian affairs.

The broadcaster said the criticism extended beyond official remarks, with some attendees loudly interrupting a speech by Energy Minister Eli Cohen in protest over policies including home demolitions in Druze towns.

Protesters conveyed a direct message to the government that “the threat to demolish our homes comes from within, not from external rockets,” referring to planning and construction regulations affecting Druze communities.

They said the government sends members of the community to serve in the military reserves to protect Israel while issuing demolition orders against their homes.

Protesters called for an end to the policy and urged comprehensive solutions to planning, housing, and electricity issues affecting Druze villages.

Thousands of Druze citizens serve in the Israeli army, and some have been killed in Gaza, Lebanon, and elsewhere. Community leaders have repeatedly criticized successive governments over their treatment.

READ: Former senior Israeli officials say Netanyahu government ‘hijacked’ country, failed in Iran war

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. 

Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Climate science denier Donald Trump confirms that he knows nothing about democracy and that more liquid gold is being secured according to his policy of global privateering.
Climate science denier Donald Trump confirms that he knows nothing about democracy and that more liquid gold is being secured according to his policy of global privateering.
Donald Trump warns against following the https://onaquietday.org blog, says that it's easy atm, she only needs to report war crimes supporting Israel's genocidal expansion.
Donald Trump warns against following the https://onaquietday.org blog, says that it’s easy atm, she only needs to report war crimes supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion.

Continue ReadingDruze leader in Israel criticizes government over treatment of community