Tag Archive for Druze

| January 6, 2018
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Druze firefighter jumps to save Torah scroll from burning synagogue

Israeli Druze firefighter puts himself in danger by jumping into flames of burning synagogue in northern Israel to save a Torah scroll from burning.

By Chana Roberts

 

Druze firefighter Wiam Nevoani saved a Torah scroll from a burning synagogue on Monday, endangering his life.

Nevoani, a resident of the Druze village of Julis in northern Israel, told Channel 20 about the experience.

Druze firefighter Wiam Nevoani saving a Torah scroll from a burning synagogue. – Photo: Facebook page of כבאות והצלה לישראל Israel Fire & Rescue Authority

“On Monday we were called to fight a fire in a Nahariya synagogue,” Nevoani said. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , , ,
| November 3, 2017
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IDF deploys to protect Syrian Druze after Israeli injured in Golan by spillover

After an Israeli resident of the Druze village Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights was treated, IDF is focusing on the developments of Syrian infighting in the Hader region, just across the Israeli border.

By UDI SHAHAM

 

Israel Defense Force spokesperson Ronen Manelis said in a statement that the IDF will stand by the side of the Druze population as the fighting in Syria intensifies, after a resident of Majdal Shams was injured by gunfire on Friday from was seems to be spillover from the Syrian war.

Syrian Fighting in Golan Heights – Google Maps

“In recent hours we witness the intensifying of the fighting at the area of the Druze village of Hadher in the Syrian part of the Golan Heights,” he said. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , , , ,
| September 20, 2017
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Meet today’s hero in uniform: Maj. ‘A’, Israel Air Force’s first Druze combat navigator

Maj. A. wanted to join the Israeli Navy’s illustrious ‘Shayetet 13’ frogmen unit, but found himself on the way to Air Force Flight Academy instead, while his fellow Druze friends took on other senior combat roles.
– “The uniforms I wear are a source of great pride to me and for the Druze sector,” admits Maj. A.

By Goel Beno

 

Maj. A.’s dream was to join the Shayetet 13 frogmen and dive deep underwater. Instead, he found himself flying high in the air after successfully finishing the Air Force Flight Academy and becoming the first Druze navigator in the IDF. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , ,
| February 20, 2017
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Israel’s first female Druse news presenter makes history on ITV Channel 1

 

Earning praise from the public and her peers, Ghadir Kamal Meriach became Israel’s first female Druse TV news presenter this past weekend, especially considering how the Druse community still takes a conservative attitude regarding women working outside their villages.

BY 

 

There have been a lot of new faces on Channel 1 over the past 18 months, despite the fact that the Israel Broadcasting Authority is set to cease operations on April 30, to be replaced by the Israel Broadcasting Corporation.

While in the process of becoming history, IBA is making history. On Saturday evening, for the first time, its Channel 1 featured a female Druse presenter on the weekend news. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| July 31, 2016
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Israel’s Golan Druze leader laughs at UN claim of ‘hardship of occupation’

 

“I don’t understand what they’re talking about, it’s laughable,” the mayor of Majdal Shams said. Druze in the Golan “don’t serve in the IDF, and so far are only receiving from the state. Why don’t they condemn the horrors in Syria, where dozens of children are killed daily? (Israel’s) Golan residents have a good life.”

By JTA

 

A leader of the Druze population of the Golan Heights disputed the assertion of a United Nations committee that accused Israel of imposing economic and social hardships on his community.

Golan Heights, Druze village square in Majdal Shams – Photo: Avihu Shapira

Dulan abu-Saleh, the mayor of Majdal Shams, the largest Druze town in the Golan, told Makor Rishon that the U.N. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , , , , ,
| July 16, 2016
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Israeli Druze engage in bustling businesses with local weekend tourists

 

Israel’s Druze communities, supported by the Tourism Ministry, are appealing to the Israeli weekend tourist, largely with their traditional cuisine, in an industry where the women have a huge influence.

By Linda Gradstein, The Media Line

Hurfeish, Israel — Ibtisam Fares hunched next to a small outdoor oven, making fresh pita bread topped with spreads of za’atar, fresh red pepper, and meat. She brought them to an outdoor table already covered with local delicacies including humus, stuffed grape leaves, and an array of fresh salads, chopped just moments before. A jug of lemonade with fresh mint stands waited for thirsty visitors.

Continue Reading »
Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| April 27, 2016
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UN Security Council ‘reminds’ Israel that Golan status “remains unchanged”

In response to Netanyahu’s declaration Israel would never vacate the Golan, UNSC felt the need to remind Jerusalem that ‘the status of the Golan remains unchanged’ & Israeli annexation of the plateau is ‘null & void and without int’l legal effect.’

By Reuters

 

UNITED NATIONS – The United Nations Security Council on Tuesday voiced alarm over Israeli cities and towns about the Golan Heights on Syria’s border with Israel, adding that its status remains unchanged.

The UN Security Council – Photo: AP

UN council voices alarm at Israeli cities on Golan Heights

Earlier this month Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel would never relinquish the Golan Heights, in a signal to Russia and the United States that the strategic plateau should be excluded from any deal on Syria’s future. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| February 7, 2016
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In memory of hero policeman Jews and Druze forge special bond

 

Rabbi Yaakov Kermaier took the opportunity to bring Druze & Jews together for Jethro’s Shabbat, when the story of Moses’ father-in-law, and the founder of the Druze religion is told, after visiting the family of Zidan Seif, the brave Druze policeman who lost his life stopping the massacre at the hands of Palestinian terrorists in Jerusalem’s Har Nof synagogue. 

By Rifat Erlich

 

Rinal Seif has worn only black for 13 months, during which she mourned the death of her husband the police officer, Master Sergeant Zidan Nahad Seif, who was killed while attempting to stop the terrorist attack at the synagogue in Jerusalem’s Har Nof neighborhood. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| July 11, 2015
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Arab News: IDF enters Syria with tanks & bulldozers to clear refugee camp near border

IDF task force with tanks and bulldozers crosses half-kilometre into Syria to dismantle a Nusra Front controlled refugee camp, according to Arab media reports
• IDF declines to comment.

By Daniel Siryoti & Israel Hayom Staff

 

An Israeli military task force, accompanied by tanks and bulldozers, crossed about 500 yards into Syrian territory near Quneitra recently and dismantled a refugee camp in the area, Arab news outlets reported Thursday.

Israeli Druze look over the border with concern at the fighting in Syria – Photo: AP

According to the reports, the refugee camp, consisting of tin huts and tents, was built in an area controlled by the Nusra Front and was home to dozens of Syrian families that had fled the nearby fighting. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , , ,
| June 14, 2015
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Report: Israel Plans Creation of Buffer Zone to Save Syrian Druze

It’s reported that Israel is prepared to secure humanitarian aid for the Druze village of Khadr, which lies close to the Israeli border.

By i24news

 

Israel intends to create a humanitarian buffer zone inside Syria, along its border, in order to help that country’s Druze, according to the Walla News web site. Israel is in contact with the Red Cross and various countries regarding the buffer zone.

Haim Zach

Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin visits the grave of the prophet Jethro in the Galilee, in honor of the Druze holiday Nebi Shuayb, April 27, 2015 – Photo: Haim Zach

A diplomatic source told Walla that “there is no intention to ignore the possibility of a massacre against the Druze.” Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , , ,
| June 5, 2015
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Israeli Druze Leaders Beg US & Israel to Protect Brethren in Syria From ISIS Attacks

Leaders from the Israeli Druze community met with Dan Shapiro, US Ambassador to Israel, to request airstrikes from Israel & the US, and help by arming the Druze in Syria fighting ISIS.

By Tova Dvorin

 

The Druze community in Israel has reached out to the US this week, begging Washington to protect Druze across the border in Syria.

US Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro met with Druze community leaders Thursday, according to Channel 2, during which community leaders begged Shapiro to get the US more involved in the fighting between rebel forces and the regime army of President Bashar Al-Assad. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| May 27, 2015
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Druze reservists angry over IDF’s decision to disband battalion

Druze reservists threaten to petition High Court and hold demonstrations outside the IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv if decision isn’t reversed.

By Yossi Yehoshua

 

High-ranking Druze reservists opposed to the move have sent a harshly worded letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in which they call on him to intervene. The Druze officers warn that if the decision is not rescinded, they will petition the High Court of Justice and stage demonstrations outside the Kirya base in Tel Aviv.

IDF's Druze Herev Battalion during exercise - Photo: IsraelandStuf/PPMembers of all-Druze Herev Battalion during exercise protecting Northern settlement on border with Lebanon – Photo: IsraelandStuff/PP

Herev was formed in 1974 and around 400 Druze soldiers currently serve in the battalion, which is involved primarily in routine security duties along the border with Lebanon. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| May 18, 2015
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Dep. Minister Kara Distraught Over Decision to Terminate Druze Battalion

MK Ayoub Kara opposes Chief of Staff’s decision to shut down ethnic unit, as most Druze recruits would rather integrate into the IDF like other soldiers do.

By Yishai Karov & Gil Ronen

 

Deputy Minister Ayoub Kara is upset over the decision by IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eizenkot, to shut down the Druze Battalion.

The decision to close down the battalion after 40 years of existence was reported Monday on the IDF Website.

Eizenkot’s decision “does a disservice to the heritage and past of one of the IDF’s most important and fascinating units,” he said, “despite the desire for change and integration among the young Druze, which I support.” Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , ,
| March 13, 2015
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Israeli Druse leaders reject Lebanon’s Druse MP Jumblatt: ‘Stop interfering in our affairs’

Lebanese Druse MP Walid Jumblatt, called on his Israeli coreligionists to support Joint Arab List party in elections next week, drawing a stern response from Sheikh Moafaq Tarif in Israel.

By JPOST.COM STAFF

 

The spiritual leader of Israel’s Druse community on Friday rebuffed comments by Lebanese Druse parliamentarian Walid Jumblatt, who called on his coreligionists to support the Joint Arab List.

In an interview with the Arab-language web site Huna, Sheikh Moafaq Tarif said that the Druse in Israel “are an inseparable part of Israeli society and they enjoy freedom of expression and freedom to do as they please.”

Tarif said that the Druse community fields candidates who run with both right-wing and left-wing parties. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: ,
| January 27, 2015
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2 rockets fired at Israel from Syria, IDF returns fire

Druze residents from their northern Golan Heights villages reported hearing several explosions near Syrian border.
•No injuries or damages reported.

By Ynet reporters

 

The IDF fired 20 artillery shells at Syrian positions from which rockets were launched at Israel, two of which exploded in the northern Golan Heights on Tuesday. The rockets likely hit open areas and at this stage, no injuries or damages were reported.

An IDF soldier stands atop a tank near Alonei Habashan on the Golan Heights, close to the ceasefire line between Israel and Syria. – Photo: REUTERS

Residents in Druze villages near the border reported to hearing several explosions, shortly after a Code Red rocket alert siren was sounded near the border. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , , ,
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