(3) Who Are the Druze... and Why It Matters

Defining Moments

The recent killing of 12 Druze children playing soccer in Majdal Shams by a Hezbollah missile sent shock waves throughout Israel. That’s only the most recent tragic event, as many Druze soldiers have been killed in the current war, where they have served with distinction in the Israeli army. The Druze are obviously giving and loyal members of Israeli society, and I learned this first-hand when I, along with many others, visited Majdal Shams to pay a condolence call.

But who exactly are the Druze, and how do they view the Jewish people and the State of Israel? How can we broaden our horizons in order to become better neighbors and friends with our Druze neighbors, and why should we? In this episode of Defining Moments I host Rabbi Yaakov Kermaier, a former pulpit rabbi in America who upon his Aliya founded Yakir, an organization that seeks to raise awareness about the Druze and foster greater friendship and cooperation; and Shakib Shinan, a member of the Druze community who was a member of Knesset and served in the IDF, and whose son was killed in a terror attack while trying to protect worshipers on the Temple Mount in 2017.

Join me to participate in a fascinating conversation, as we take a deep dive into the Druze community.