“Druzes”: A religious minority with a mysterious millennial identity.
Since 1956, Druze men have been required to serve in the Israeli army with the approval of their spiritual leader, which paved the way for their integration into the Zionist military and security institutions. According to the Tasnim News Agency International Group, the Druze are a sect of Ismailiyya with secret teachings and a closed structure based on the belief in the divinity of Al-Hakim Bamarullah, the sixth Fatimid caliph. The roots of this mysterious and mysterious sect date back to the fifth century AH.
Of the approximately one and a half million Druze population, about 700,000 live in Syria today, mainly in the Sweida province and the suburbs of Damascus. There are also 350,000 Druze in Lebanon and 145,000 in the Golan Heights.
Among the Druze, the “Sheikh of Wisdom” is considered the highest spiritual authority. In every region or country where the Druze have a strong presence, one or more Sheikhs of Wisdom usually assume the role of spiritual leader of the community. Sheikhs of Wisdom play an important role in preserving the religious, social, and cultural identity of this sect.
The integration of parts of the Druze body began in the early years of the establishment of the Zionist occupation regime. The presence of Druze youth in the structure of the Israeli army, alongside Jewish youth, played a key role in Tel Aviv’s long-term plans to integrate the Druze into the political and social structure of the Zionist regime, to the extent that the Druze participation in the 1948 war led to the formation of a Druze battalion in the structure of the Israeli army.
In addition, since 1956, Druze men have been required to serve in the Israeli army with the approval of their spiritual leader, which paved the way for their integration into the Zionist military and security institutions.