The Role of Druze Officers in the Israeli Army
The recent announcement of the death of Colonel Ihsan Daqsa, a Druze officer in the Israeli army, has ignited discussions about the complex relationship between the Druze community and the Israeli military. Colonel Daqsa was killed during battles in the Jabalia area of the Gaza Strip, raising questions about identity, loyalty, and discrimination faced by Druze in Israel.
According to Israeli affairs expert Adel Shadid, the promotion of Druze officers is rooted in a complicated historical and political context. Since the 1950s, the Druze community has undergone a process of separation from the Palestinian Arab identity, leading to a unique societal status that is distinct from other Arab groups in Israel. This shift was marked by a “blood pact” between the Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Salman Tarif and the Zionist movement, which encouraged Druze enlistment in the Israeli army.
Despite their commitment to military service, Druze officers face discrimination similar to that experienced by other Arab citizens of Israel. Shadid notes that thousands of Druze, after completing their military service, encounter home demolitions and other forms of discrimination, raising concerns about the paradox of their loyalty to the state. Colonel Daqsa himself may have faced such challenges had he survived his military career.
Changing Dynamics in Military Service
The dynamics of military service in Israel have shifted over the years, particularly since the 1990s, when the army began transitioning to a “small, smart, professional army” model. This change has led to a decrease in long-term military service among secular Jews, creating opportunities for Druze and religious Jews to ascend to higher ranks within the military.
Shadid highlights the differing motivations for military service among various groups. For many Druze, military service is viewed as a job opportunity rather than a nationalistic endeavor, contrasting with religious Jews who see the army as a means to advance their ideological goals. However, despite some Druze achieving higher ranks, Shadid argues that reaching the top positions, such as Chief of Staff, remains unlikely due to the increasing influence of the religious Zionist movement within the military establishment. He emphasizes that promotions require the approval of key political figures, including Ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich.
Furthermore, Shadid points out that racial discrimination is not confined to the Druze; it also affects other minority groups, such as Ethiopian Jews. The ongoing ethnic and religious tensions within the Israeli military are evident, with frequent conflicts arising among soldiers, highlighting the challenges of integration and equality in a diverse military environment.
