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The Druze"An independent religious community which has existed since the beginning of the 11th century when it broke away from Islam. The original members of the new sect migrated from Egypt to Lebanon, and after one generation of proselytization settled along the western slopes of Mount Hermon, spreading westward into the Shouf Mountains, southward into the Galilee and Mount Carmel, and eastward into what is today Syria. The Druze religion is monotheistic, and includes the belief in reincarnation. Most of its beliefs and practices are shrouded in secrecy. No religious conversion or intermarriages are allowed thus helping to preserve the Druze exclusivity. The Druze are village and mountain dwellers, attached to their individual plots of land and property, while harboring no separatist national aspirations. They are completely loyal to the states in which they reside, including service in the army. This basic principle, within the context of the Arab-Israel conflict, has meant that Druze frequently find themselves serving in armies which are in open confrontation with one and other. There are about 70,000 Druze in Israel (including Druze population in the Golan Heights), about 600,000 in Syria, 300,000 in Lebanon, with small communities living in the United States, Canada, Latin America and Australia. In 1948 there were approximately 13,000 living within the boundaries of the State of Israel. Through natural growth and the de facto annexation of the Golan Heights their number had risen to 65,861 in May 1983, of whom 46,134 lived within the Green Line in 17 villages, 15 in the Galilee and two on Mount Carmel. Of these, nine are entirely Druze and the rest mixed mainly with Christian Arabs. As of the late 1920s many of the Palestinian Druze cooperated with the Yishuv. Even before the establishment of the State there were some Druze serving in the Haganah, and upon the proclamation of the state the majority sides with Israel, with many Druze voluntarily fight in the IDf during the War of Independence. Since 1955 Druze men have served in the IDF on equal terms with Jewish conscripts, some opting for a professional military career. About 175 Druze have been killed in action, including a large number in the Lebanese War. The Israeli government's decision in December 1981 to apply Israeli law to the Golan Heights caused major controversy among the Druze in that region - whether or not to accept Israeli identity cards. Syrian pressure influence the Druze religious authorities in the Golan to take a strong negative position. Theoretically the Druze have been full citizens since the establishment of the state, however in practice the situation is somewhat different. They were under the Military Administration until 1962 and maintain they were discriminated against with regard to welfare services, development assistance, and appointment to senior official positions. Economically the Druze population is among the least affluent in Israel and the number of youngsters receiving higher education is relatively low, consequently, even in the private sector, few Druze have reached the top professional levels." Return to Israeli Politics and Society
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