Druze genome goes back 1,000 years – study

A new study finds that the Druze community began to genetically take shape all the way back in the 11th century and has managed to remain almost uninfluenced by other ethnic groups.

The study was prepared by Prof. Gil Atzmon from Haifa University, Prof. Jamal Zidane of Rivka Ziv Hospital in Safed and Prof. Eitan Friedman from Tel Aviv University and Sheba Hospital.

“This is the first genetic study that found the source of the Druze community to date to this period,” Prof. Atzmon is quoted by Haaretz as saying. The findings match the Druze community’s tradition about its origins.

There are approximately 1.5 million Druze people in the world today. Most live in Syria and the rest are divided between Israel and Jordan.

Members of the Druze community traditionally do not marry outside their faith.