The all-Druze Herev battalion on their "beret march," Feb. 12, 2014. (Pvt. Tal Manor/IDF Spokesperson's Unit)

It’s Time To Fix the Nationality Law

The Media Line Staff

11/03/2024

Maariv, Israel, October 26

Over the past week, so many soldiers have died in action. Countless names, families, and children are left with only stories and memories, while dozens of spouses mourn their lost loved ones, and parents confront their worst nightmares. This has been a relentless reality for over a year now—a continuation of a lifelong history. Since the harrowing morning of October 7, 890 individuals have sacrificed their lives, nearly a thousand soldiers, men and women alike, including officers, who shielded our most vulnerable flanks with their own bodies. They will never return. Among the fallen this week is Col. Ahsan Daksa, hailing from Daliyat al-Karmel. He died in combat in the northern Gaza Strip, leaving behind his wife and three children. Countless stories detail the valor of Druze soldiers and officers. Their commitment to the State of Israel—mobilizing in defense of a nation that, even in 2024, struggles to reciprocate such allegiance—is not taken for granted. Twelve Druze soldiers have fallen since the onset of the October 7 war. In addition to Col. Daksa were Staff Sgt. Daniel Rashed, 19; Lt. Col. Alim Saad, 41; Sgt. 1^st Class Jawad Amer, 23; Lt. Col. Salman Habaka, 33; Maj. Jamal Abbas, 23; Staff Sgt. Adi Harb, 19; Staff Sgt. Sufian Dagash, 21; Master Sgt. Anwar Sarhan, 26; Capt. Wassem Mahmoud, 23; Maj. Jalaa Ibrahem, 25; and Maj. (res.) Nail Fawarsa, 43. With an 85% recruitment rate, the Druze community exhibits unwavering loyalty to the homeland and shared destiny unmatched in any other country. And yet, with every story of a heroic loss, the Nationality Law resurfaces, only to fade away amid tepid responses. The bereaved call for change, as do their comrades and all who understand the necessity of amending this flawed legal framework. Yet nothing materializes. The promise of reform is perennial, with tears shed and commitments made, but neither this government nor its predecessors have taken steps to abolish the discrimination enshrined in this law. Basic Law: Israel as the Nation-State of the Jewish People, commonly referred to as the Nationality Law, effectively marginalizes the Druze community. Despite their residence in Israel and their service in its defense forces—sometimes at the ultimate cost—they are denied full integration and equal rights in a country that is as much theirs as ours. It is time to put an end to empty vows for change, only to forget them when the moment passes. We must look into the eyes of all who entrust their children to serve, regardless of origin or faith, and assure them their sacrifices will be acknowledged and honored, even in the face of adversity. For those who have fallen and their bereaved families, Israel is their only home and their only nation. They deserve to know that the reverence they show for the state is reciprocated. As it stands now, regrettably, it is not. —Michal Kadosh (translated by Asaf Zilberfarb)