Druze Loyalty and Challenges in Israel: A Glimpse into Minority Struggles and National Service Commitment

Jerusalem, Israel — As a significant contributor to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), the Druze community remains largely unrecognized for its national commitment, according to Anan Kheir, a Druze lawyer and activist. Despite their deep-rooted identity as Israeli citizens and mandatory enlistment in the IDF since 1956, Kheir expressed concerns over the persistent segregation and minority status faced by the Druze in an interview on “The Jerusalem Post Podcast.” The Druze people, who predominantly reside in northern Israel, have coexisted peacefully with their neighbors for decades. However, their pronounced loyalty to Israel has occasionally sparked … Read more