|
Trending Topics
|
Source: https://www.jpost.com/jerusalem-report/article-876669
IDF Sees Sharp Rise in Enlistment from Israel's Minority Communities
(Jerusalem Report) Dana Ben-Shimon - Clashes last July between Bedouin and Druze militias in the southern Syrian city of Sweida have become a catalyst for a dramatic rise in IDF enlistment among Druze who live on the Golan Heights, who are long known for their opposition to Israel. Unlike the Druze of the Galilee - who serve proudly and prominently in the IDF - the Golan Druze historically held residency without Israeli citizenship and avoided military service. That is now shifting, said Safi Ibrahim, 45, an IDF colonel from Israel's Druze community who heads the army's department for soldiers from Israel's minority populations. "The Druze residing in Syria believe there is no one who can help them more than the State of Israel." "Shortly after the war began, we saw a willingness among the local [Golan Druze] population to defend themselves and join the reserves. We facilitated training for 150 people, and they continue to serve to this day. Now you see them in IDF uniforms in their villages - something they were reluctant to do previously." A second group of 150 Golan Druze soldiers began basic training this month. While military service is mandatory for Israeli Druze, it is voluntary for Bedouins, Muslims, and Christians. Ibrahim noted that Arab Christian enlistment has increased threefold in the past year. "No matter what minority group you come from, everyone saw the cruelty of Oct. 7 and realized that the enemy didn't care if it was a Bedouin woman with a headscarf or a Jew from a kibbutz. Arab Christians here also saw how their counterparts in Syria have been slaughtered and persecuted by [Syrian leader] Al-Jolani's forces."