Photo by GPO

Distinguished guests,
Head of the Community, Sheikh Muafaq Tarif,
Minister Ruhama Avraham-Balila, who was responsible for the successful and impressive management of Israel's 60th anniversary celebrations, and also contributed to this exciting and impressive evening,
My friend, the man who stands at the forefront of Israel's national public relations campaign in the Arab and Muslim world and on other fronts, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Majalli Whbee, 
Chairman of the Forum of Heads of Druze and Circassian Authorities, Mr. Nabia Nassraldin,
Heads of Authorities,
Judges and Cadis,
My friend, Director General of the Prime Minister's Office, Ra'anan Dinur,
My friend, former minister and the first, but not last, Druze minister, Salah Tarif,
My friend, comrade and former commander, my commander in the officers course, Adviser to the Prime Minister for Druze and Circassians, Samir Whbee,
Representatives of the Circassian Community,
IDF commanders and fighters, Israel Police officers and fighters,
Youth movement cadets,
Distinguished guests,

Allow me to deviate for a moment from the text I prepared in order to say a few words that I feel I must say, words that come from my heart and that I want to share with you.  I sat here just now next to the leader of the Druze community, Sheikh Muafaq Tarif, and my good friend, Minister Ruhama Avraham-Balila, and looked at this impressive group of people who lit the torches and I said to myself, these people really are to the glory of the Druze community and to the glory of the State of Israel.  It was an impressive and moving representation of education, culture, knowledge, courage, fighting, contribution to society, optimism, sacrifice.  I commend you, I am proud of you, the State of Israel is proud of you.

I am very excited to be here this evening at this holy place together with you. The spiritual leader, Sheikh Muafaq Tarif, allowed me to visit the grave of the Prophet Shueib, and I must admit, Honorable Sheikh, that I was deeply moved by this honor that you bestowed upon me. You are the thousands of members of a small, select community, which is to me, and to the entire people of Israel, a shining example and a symbol of sacrifice, partnership and unbounded and unparalleled loyalty.
This evening is an evening of tribute and gratitude. It is undoubtedly a welcome and important initiative, which constitutes an inseparable part of the way Israel must celebrate the 60th anniversary of its independence.  However, this evening is not enough to express how strong the commitment of the State of Israel and Israeli society is to the Druze community, and how aware we are of the Druze community's immense contribution to the establishment of the State of Israel.

Again, I want to say something to you, also maybe in response to the painful statements I have heard from all speakers here, but also out of the deep, true acquaintance that I believe I have gained over many years with the Druze community in the State of Israel.  We have made many mistakes, we have neglected many things, we have ignored many needs, we overlooked vital things that I know were important to you as equal citizens in the State of Israel.  As you know, I assumed my position when the State of Israel was 58 years old, and not everything can be fixed in one day.  However, I came here this evening first and foremost to say that I acknowledge it, I understand the failures of the past and I accept the responsibility to change this reality for everyone, wherever you may live and in every field of life in this country, of which you are an inseparable part.

The beginning of this partnership dates back to the War of Independence, when a number of Druze villages fought alongside members of the Jewish community.  Leaders of the neighboring Arab states hoped for the cooperation of the Druze community, but the latter's decision to refrain from mobilizing in the war against the newly-founded state constituted the beginning of a wonderful partnership, which has been with us since then – and forever.  Many of the community's members chose to volunteer for service in the IDF, and today one can say, and no one knows it better than I do, that the rate of enlistment into the IDF from among members of the Druze community is higher than in any other population sector, including the Jewish sector.  I said before that I acknowledge the responsibly to correct the deficiencies of the past, and there is a lot to correct.

My government made the decision to allocate 447 million NIS over a period of three years for the advancement of the Druze sector and the development of the Druze communities. I guarantee you, Honorable Sheikh, and I guarantee you, Chairman of the Board of Druze and Circassian Authorities, that we will meet this commitment.  We have already begun taking steps in the field of infrastructure, education, employment, tourism, youth and development of human capital, but there is still a lot to do.

People here spoke about the land shortage in Druze communities.  We restored thousands of dunams of soil slated for expropriation, to their owners, and are currently acting, in conjunction with land owners, to find an appropriate settlement.  I announce here, in the most explicit manner – that the entire issue of land, including the sensitive issues which concern you, will be decided by me, at my table.

I am aware of the deep connection between the Druze community and the land, and we will do everything in our power, and I will personally oversee it, to preserve and consolidate your connection to the land, for many years to come. Everything will be done through dialogue and cooperation, and with the required sensitivity, as it should be. 

Photo by GPO

The Prime Minister's Office also decided to allocate tens of millions of shekels for the financing of cultural, sports and recreational activities in all Druze villages, and is working to advance a joint project between the JDC and the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor, for the placement of Druze academicians in positions befitting their qualifications and education.

We are also honored this evening by the presence of representatives of the Circassian community, who are also joined in bonds of partnership and solidarity with the Jewish people and the State of Israel. Members of this community form an inseparable part of the security and civilian systems in Israel, and I wish to use this opportunity of your being present here at this event to say to you today, our Circassian brothers: thank you, wholeheartedly, for your friendship, sacrifice and contribution to the State of Israel.

I want to say to you, officers and soldiers, beginning with my friend, Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, Major General Yosef Mishlav, and ending with the last Druze soldier and the members of the security forces in all fields of security in the State of Israel – believe me, you can safely assume that I am familiar with the contribution by the Druze fighters to all fields of Israeli security, including the most covert, sensitive, bold and daring ones. I know these fighters, I congratulate them and I thank them.  More than fifty years have passed since the Compulsory Service Law was applied also to the Druze, but as I said, the true test is the test of volunteering, and you have withstood this test in a way that generates our unparalleled respect and gratitude.  There is not one unit today in which we do not find Druze fighters, including in the most elite units and the most sensitive places, at sea, air, land and everywhere.  You bring great honor to your community and to the people of Israel.
 
I take this opportunity to say to you, I know that some of you feel that the State of Israel does not appropriately address your special needs. I know, and I have spoken about it with your leadership, heads of your villages, communities, councils and authorities, as well as with the leader of the community, my friend and partner, Deputy Foreign Minister Majalli Whbee, my adviser Samir Whbee, and many other friends, and I know that what concerns you, the young fighters, most, is a solution to the housing problem, as well as to problems relating to your acceptance into higher education institutes and problems of employment.

I want to inform you that within days a decision by the Ministerial Committee for the Development of the Negev and the Galilee will be approved, to significantly increase government subsidies for ex-servicemen from the Druze community who wish to build their homes in the Druze villages.  I know that you want to return to your villages, and we will do everything in our power to enable you to return to the places from which you came, in order for you to live in these places and have the lifestyle which is an inseparable part of your lives.  This is how it has been and I promise you that this is how it will be.

Unfortunately, there is also another, particularly painful proof of the Druze community's enormous contribution to the consolidation of Israel's security.
The many IDF soldiers who were injured or disabled and the hundreds of fallen soldiers, members of the community, who fell in Israel's wars, are the ones who paid the highest price of this partnership and true friendship.
On this day, we will cherish their memory in pain. I saw the pain of my old friend who served with me at the Knesset, Chairman of Yad Labanim of the Druze community, Amal Nasseradin, and I remembered the great pain of the past.  On this day, we extend an embracing arm and a supporting shoulder to the fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, wives and children, who lost what was dear to them most.  Some of you I have met personally, and gradually we will get to know all of you. We feel an immeasurable sense of gratitude towards all of you, and we share in the pain which accompanies you your entire lives.

Distinguished guests,

Today, the Government and people of Israel thank you, members of the Druze community, for being loyal partners and true friends, in regular times and in times of emergencies, on festive occasions and in times of sorrow.
We will continue to do everything in our power to give tangible expression to our strong commitment and the deep, long-standing appreciation that we feel for you.

The alliance of blood made at the time of Yisro and Moses is the alliance of life which enables us to work, shoulder to shoulder, to create a better future for the coming generations of all of us, who live here in the State of Israel, in partnership, solidarity and honor.

Thank you very much, good evening to you and happy holiday for the entire State of Israel.