The Druze and a moral obligation beyond borders

(JNS) — When we speak of Israel’s diverse society, the spotlight often falls on its Jewish majority. But among the most steadfast pillars of the Israeli mosaic is the Druze community — a tiny, secretive offshoot of Islam whose loyalty to the state has become a model of shared citizenship.

Roughly 140,000 Druze live in Israel, primarily in villages across the Galilee and on Mount Carmel. Unlike other Arab citizens, Druze men are subject to mandatory military conscription in the Israel Defense Forces and often volunteer for combat roles. They serve in elite IDF units, border security, and rise t...