BICOM

The Israeli Government has offered to introduce new legislation to recognise the contribution of Druze and other Israeli minorities as part of a compromise deal to reduce opposition to the Nation-State Law.

The deal was offered by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s acting Chief of Staff, Yoav Horowitz, to Druze religious leader Sheikh Muafak Tarif following a meeting yesterday.

The new plan would involve the introduction of a Basic Law and a regular law that would recognise the significant contribution of minorities who defend the country. This would involve “enshrining eligibility for the benefits of minority members of all religions and communities who serve in the security forces, for the purpose of closing gaps and promoting social equality”.

The legislation would recognise the contribution of the Druze community to the security of the state, provide support for community institutions (religion, education and culture) given to Druze, and strengthen Druze residential areas with the possible establishment of new towns and the preservation and cultivation of “Druze heritage”.

Speaking to Hadashot TV news, Tarif said it was “a historic and good offer”. He added: “This is an opportunity for us to receive all the rights assured us. I am optimistic that it will be done and that the prime minister will keep to his word on every detail.”

Hamad Amar MK from Yisrael Beiteinu, one of the three Druze MKs who petitioned the Supreme Court against the Nation-State Law, also praised the plan.

MK Saleh Saad from the Zionist Union said he will continue with the petition to protest the Law, saying: “I am sad that my friends have succumbed to pressures and withdrew from the petition.”

Community representatives said in a statement on Thursday that they will continue with talks following the new proposal. The statement said there is a “window of opportunity for an unprecedented historic advancement of the Druze community and its status in the State of Israel”. The protest and demonstration in Tel Aviv on Saturday night is going ahead as planned.

Tamar Zandberg from Meretz said: “The Prime Minister ranks Israel’s citizens, and he divides and rules the minorities from whom he has stolen equality in his Basic Law… now they’re making laws in honour of the Druze community, as if equality is a prize and not a right that all of us have.”