Beatriz W. de Rittigstein.
On the last Saturday of the month of July, like almost every day since the fateful October 7, 2023, the terrorist, jihadist and genocidal group Hezbollah, which has kidnapped Lebanon and is under the orders of the ayatollah regime, launched volleys of missiles towards northern Israel, more than 50.
One of those missiles, a Walls 1, with a load of 50 kilos of explosives, made in Iran and only handled by Hezbollah in Lebanese territory, fell in the village of Majdal Shams, on a soccer field, where numerous young people were enjoying a game, causing a tragedy of dimensions. immeasurable: the massacre of 12 Israeli Druze children and adolescents, and more than 30 wounded of varying severity.
Most people, including those of good will, do not know who the Druze, even worse are those that so much slander the Jewish State for practicing a kind of apartheid, but, precisely, the insertion of the Druze people into the Israeli demonym is another example of the absurdity of such an accusation.
The Druze constitute an ethnic and religious minority that lives in Lebanon, Syria and Israel, and in this country they are settled in the north, in villages located on the plateau of the golan, in the Galilee and on Mount Carmel, Haifa. They have the same ethnic origin as the Arabs and speak that language, but they are not Muslims; They are not governed by the Koran, they have their own holy books. They reject polygamy and Druze women have a social equality unknown in the Islamic world.
The Druze religion is based on seven essential precepts: Brotherhood relationship with all Druze; resurrection of the dead; believe in one God; unity of God, who is everywhere and at all times; accept God's designs; not engage in criminal conduct; dedicate yourself completely to God. Another of their fundamental principles is fidelity to the land where they live and to their authority; Their concept of loyalty forces them to adapt to the law and obey the government of the country of residence.
In Israel there are about 150.000 Druze, which represents 1.6% of the total inhabitants. They are Israeli citizens with all rights and obligations; They provide military service, standing out for their full identification, solidarity and courage. There have always been Druze deputies in the Knesset (Parliament); But, in some matters they prefer their autonomy, governed by particular codes, for example: they have their courts of justice.
In 1967, due to the Syrian military aggression that generated the Six-Day War, part of the Druze region passed to Israeli administration; This meant great progress for them; They have flourished in all areas, they are industrious and feel extremely satisfied. Israel fostered that development; They managed to advance and every day they have more effective services: electricity, roads, schools, public health, etc. And most importantly, the Jewish State provides them with respect and complete religious, political and civil freedom.
In 1980, then Prime Minister Menachem Begin annexed the area and Israel's civil law came into effect, requiring them to acquire Israeli citizenship; Problems arose, as they feared revenge on their relatives who lived on the Syrian side. Despite the passage of time, they still feel concern about the possibility of the area being returned and the position of the dictatorial regime of Bashar al Assad towards them. However, more and more Druze feel fully Israeli.
In the current circumstances, the much admired Druze behavior, extremely risky and heroic during battles, which originates from the prophet Abu Ibrahim (Abraham), who turns them into his soldiers by imbuing them with strength to fight the enemies, thus as their fidelity for which they give the most of themselves, could unleash pressures among the Druze on both sides of the Lebanese-Israeli border, placing them in the middle of a crossroads. The truth is that the Jewish people inside and outside the State of Israel deeply feel this immense pain that mourns the Israeli Druze community.