Netanyahu sends holiday blessings as Israel’s Druze kick off pilgrimage

‘We’ll be together forever, always,’ PM says of Jewish state’s ties with minority group as they flock to tomb of Nebi Shu’eib

By ToI Staff 25 April 2018, 9:55 pm 1

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Members of Israel's Druze community kiss the holy tomb of Nebi Shu’eib during a celebration in northern Israel on April 25, 2018. (AFP Photo Jalaa/Marey)
Illustrative: Members of the Israeli Druze community gather to attend a celebration at the holy tomb of Nabi Shoaib near Tiberias in northern Israel on April 25, 2018. (AFP Photo Jalaa/Marey)
Members of Israel's Druze community gather to attend a celebration at the holy tomb of Nebi Shu’eib in northern Israel on April 25, 2018. (AFP Photo Jalaa/Marey)
Members of Israel's Druze community gather to attend a celebration at the holy tomb of Nebi Shu’eib in northern Israel on April 25, 2018. (AFP Photo Jalaa/Marey)
The head of the Druze community in Israel, Sheikh Moafaq Tarif attends a celebration at the holy tomb of Nebi Shu’eib in northern Israel on April 25, 2018. (AFP Photo Jalaa/Marey)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday sent holiday blessings to Israel’s Druze minority, who began a pilgrimage honoring Moses’ father-in-law.

Jethro, who in Arabic is called Shu’eib, is revered by the Druze as a great prophet, and they believe he is buried in a shrine in the destroyed Arab village of Hittin in northern Israel.

Druze visit his tomb during the pilgrimage of Nebi Shu’eib, which takes place from April 25 to 28 and is recognized as an official holiday in Israel.

“It is my honor to send you this blessing on your holiday, which is also our holiday,” said Netanyahu.

“The Jewish people and the Druze have been together since Jethro. This is a long time — and we’ll be together forever, always,” he added, while praising the Druze for their contribution to the country and their alliance with Israel.

Members of Israel’s Druze community arrive to attend a celebration at the holy tomb of Nebi Shu’eib in northern Israel on April 25, 2018. (AFP Photo Jalaa/Marey)

There are some 130,000 Druze in Israel, who live in the Carmel mountain range, Galilee and Golan Heights. An Arabic-speaking group, they practice a secretive offshoot of Islam.

The Druze are widely recognized in Israel for their service in the Israel Defense Forces.

The community signed a pact with the nascent State of Israel in October 1948 and began serving in the IDF shortly thereafter. In 1956, the state, upon request from the community leaders, imposed a compulsory draft on the army-age young men.