A Druze IDF soldier was murdered in a stabbing attack on Wednesday near Tapuach Junction near Nablus. Despite the murder and continued hostilities, the Druze community made it clear that it still stands with Israel.
Friends of the victim, Sergeant-Major Ihab Khatib, said that they will stay loyal to Israel. A resident of Khatib’s villiage said that “even if there are disagreements among us, and despite the instances of discrimination and oppression, we will all continue to enlist and contribute to the country in which we live, and for whose continued existence we pray.”
Israelis must remember that, despite some hostility from Druze in Syria, the Israeli Druze are loyal and dedicated residents who are fighting and dying for their country. The Druze are our friends and partners, and we should treat them with respect and dignity.
Khatib’s Uncle said that ”Ihab was a golden boy, very modest, who knew how to contribute to the army as well as to his family,” he said. “This is a huge tragedy and very difficult to digest.”
Our thoughts are with his family.
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Is there anyway to let the Druze know of articles like this, or for us reading of their support and sacrifices for Israel to let them know how much we appreciate what they’ve done? I hope they are told. I have read over the years about the Druze and remember reading the names of Druze lost in the wars fighting for the IDF. And it has always bothered me that I don’t know if they are given thanks.
I read elsewhere, too, that the family of this latest soldier killed has already suffered a number of tragedies, including another relative lost while in the IDF, and other family members killed by Kaytushas.
My heart goes out to them.
Maurice, I wish I knew of a good way to pass this on to the Druze communities. I hope that they are able to find thanks from this site and from all Israelis. Please feel free to pass this on if you know any way to get this into their communities.