I apologize for being a few minutes late, but I came across an incident which might have been a difficult one in Beit Jan. I thank the Israel Police for making every effort, and I tried to contribute so that this might end quietly. I hope that we will be able to solve this problem.
I was in Beit Jan many times. This time I was invited by friends for lunch, but due to delays, it almost became dinner at the Wahabe family home, whom I have known many years. Their father served in the Druze Regiment which conducted the fiercest battles the IDF faced, the fighting at Ramat Yohanan, but after that, he joined the IDF and served for many years, and so did his family members. They too paid a heavy price, like so many of you sitting here today.
My ties to this family is do to the fact that Samir Wahabe was my aide for many years, and he handled the Druze Sector, and I think that a large portion of the accomplishments in the Druze Sector result from his work, and his pressure on me to attend to this issue.
I met Magli many years later, and he was the man I sent on various missions to Arab countries, Muslim countries, from North Africa to Indonesia, which is the largest Muslim country in the world. His contribution was crucial to our contacts with these Arab or Muslim countries.
I could tell you many such stories about those who are sitting here, but since I was there today, and because of that I am late, I will make do with this story now.
I am happy to be here tonight on Druze Soldier Day. The initiative to establish this special day – which is taking place for the second year, thereby already becoming a tradition – is a welcome one. I would truly like to thank all those who took the trouble and handled this matter, first and foremost Colonel (Res.) Mophid Amar. I heard what you said today – and despite this you also agree that the situation of the Druze population – like that of the other minority populations, and like the situation of the Jews themselves – is not anything like what it was a number of years ago. With all the difficulties there are, and there are difficulties which must be solved – and we are making great efforts in this matter – the situation is nothing like it used to be. You must admit that despite all the difficulties, and there are difficulties, we are truly progressing and you are progressing. We are all progressing.
Every year on the Remembrance Day for Israel’s Fallen Soldiers, we come together in cemeteries and commemorate the heroes of the Druze Sector who fell in the line of duty while protecting our country and its citizens.
However, it is not only the dead we must salute. The living also deserve our full appreciation – for their actions and deeds – and this day is a good opportunity to express our gratitude to generations of Druze fighters. I had the honor to command Druze units in all of Israel’s wars, except for the War of Independence. At that time, I did not serve on the Northern front.
The inhabitants of the State of Israel owe the Druze Sector a debt of gratitude. Druze fighters operated in the Jewish underground movements even during the riots of 1936-1939, and during the War of Independence, Druze fighters from villages in the Galilee joined the IDF. Since then, the Druze soldier – whose courage and contribution to the State is being honored today – has served as a cornerstone of all branches of the Israeli security system.
We are brothers in arms, but also in our dreams and hopes: hopes for a better future, a future of peace and security for our country, and for a society of justice and equality which closes the gaps which still exist between the various sectors. They still exist, but they are getting narrower, and eventually, we will succeed in closing these gaps.
The State of Israel was the first to recognize the Druze in Israel as a separate sector. Before then, during the Turkish and British periods, the authorities refused to recognize the religious and cultural uniqueness of the Druze.
The past three years were ones of dramatic progress in the status and achievements of the Druze Sector. I am proud that during my tenure as Prime Minister, the first Druze Minister, the first Druze General in the IDF, the first Druze Police Commissioner and the first Druze Director General of a government office were appointed. These are, no doubt, impressive accomplishments for a small, yet high-quality sector, which only constitutes approximately 1.5% of the country’s population.
Last year’s joining of the first Druze navigator to the family of airforce pilots, marked the opening of all IDF units to Druze youths, and this too is a great source of pride. I also have a personal feeling of pride here – I was the first to open other units in the IDF to the Druze Sector. It seems strange today because you serve everywhere, but I still feel very proud about this.
These landmarks are the best testimony to this sector’s integration into all areas of life in the State of Israel. This integration should increase the feeling of belonging of Druze youths in Israeli society. Indeed, we have recently seen a significant increase in the desire of Druze youth to join the IDF.
Dear Friends,
Druze Soldier Day is a day on which we should not only pay our respects to soldiers, but to the entire Druze sector, a sector whose internal cohesion, pride and nurturing of its unique legacy can serve as an example to other sectors in Israel. In praise of your sector it will be said that, in addition to preserving your traditional values, you also look to the future.
I see many young people here, high school students. We also heard what they had to say here. I call on them to realize the high personal potential which characterizes the Druze – a potential which is revealed again and again in military service – and acquire an education, thereby advancing themselves and their entire sector.
As a State we will, on our part, do our utmost to assist you in this, for your benefit and for the benefit of the entire Israeli society.
I wish you all a happy holiday for the upcoming holiday, and thank you all for what you did and what you will do. I am certain that, together, we will do many more things, and there is much to do. I have full faith in you, in your ability to live side-by-side with us.
And thank you again for this lovely event, which is encouraging and raises many hopes.
Thank you.