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Netanyahu tells Druze: You are an organic part of Israeli society

[ssba]

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday reiterated to Druze community leaders the central role that they play in Israeli life and paid tribute to two Druze servicemen recently killed in terror attacks in Jerusalem.

Meeting with Druze leaders, Netanyahu offered condolences over the deaths of Police Master Sergeant Zidan Saif, who was killed in last week’s terror attack on a Jerusalem synagogue, and of Border Police Chief Inspector Jidan Assad, killed when a Palestinian terrorist drove his car into commuters at a light rail station in Jerusalem earlier this month.

Netanyahu said, “You are our very flesh. You are an organic part of Israeli society. Your heroic policemen and soldiers have fallen in order to defend the state and all its citizens, but we will defend your rights and your security.” He continued, “There is a deep emotional commitment here that found expression in the crowds who came to the funeral. This emotionally underscored what Israeli citizens feel and what I feel.”

The status of Israel’s minority communities has come into focus during the last week thanks to the cabinet’s approval on Sunday for the so-called ‘Jewish State’ bill. The draft legislation would enshrine Israel’s status as a Jewish State, but opponents say it would denigrate minority communities including Druze and Arabs. Netanyahu is committed to the initiative, which is virulently opposed by coalition partners Yesh Atid and Hatnuah. A Knesset vote on the bill is expected next week.

During an impassioned Knesset debate yesterday, Netanyahu sought to clarify his position. He told the plenum, “I oppose a bi-national state … I want a state of one nation: the Jewish nation-state, which also includes non-Jews with equal rights.”

This morning, Israel Radio reported that the brother of Druze policeman Zidan Saif, killed in last week’s synagogue attack, said that he would no longer encourage Druze teenagers to enlist in the IDF, as the ‘Jewish State’ bill would differentiate between “Druze and Jewish blood.”