ESCONDIDO, California – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently announced a plan designed to support Israel’s Druze and Circassian communities. This initiative, amounting to 3.9 billion shekels, is aimed at addressing socio-economic disparities by investing in education, infrastructure, employment opportunities, and housing projects.
The Druze are an ethno-religious group with a distinct monotheistic faith that originated in the 11th century in the Middle East. Their religion incorporates elements from Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and Greek philosophy, though they do not actively seek converts. The Druze community is known for its strong sense of loyalty to the nations in which they reside, and in Israel, they have historically played a significant role in the military and public service sectors. The majority of Israeli Druze live in northern Israel, particularly in the Galilee and Carmel regions.
The Circassians are a predominantly Sunni Muslim ethnic group originally from the Caucasus region. Many Circassians were displaced during the 19th century and eventually settled in different parts of the Middle East, including Israel. The Israeli Circassian population is relatively small, with most residing in the villages of Kfar Kama and Rehaniya. They maintain their language and cultural traditions while fully integrating into Israeli society. Like the Druze, Circassians also serve in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), distinguishing them from most other Muslim communities in Israel.
Key Aspects of the Plan:
- Education and Workforce Development – Increased funding for schools, vocational training programs, and scholarships to enhance professional opportunities within these communities. This aims to bridge educational gaps and provide Druze and Circassian youth with more career prospects in high-demand fields such as technology, engineering, and medicine.
- Infrastructure Enhancement – Investments in public transportation, road improvements, and municipal services to improve the quality of life. These upgrades will facilitate better connectivity between Druze and Circassian towns and major urban centers, allowing for economic growth.
- Housing and Urban Development – Expansion of residential areas and easing of zoning restrictions to accommodate growing populations. Many Druze and Circassian towns have faced housing shortages due to land-use restrictions, and this initiative aims to address these challenges.
- Economic Support – Encouraging entrepreneurship, funding small businesses, and creating job incentives in high-tech and other sectors. By providing financial assistance and business development programs, the government hopes to integrate more Druze and Circassians into Israel’s startup ecosystem.
- Cultural and Community Investment – Strengthening cultural heritage projects and promoting integration while preserving unique traditions. This includes funding for cultural centers, language preservation programs, and community-based initiatives that celebrate the history and identity of these communities.
Those who don’t know Israel claim that it’s an apartheid state. I recall as a child, going with my dad to the Druze villages where we at fresh laffah bread and drank tea with fresh mint.
I remember my dad always bringing our Arab neighbors into town for work and being treated as one of their own as we shared meals or as they taught me how to safely handle Sabra (prickly pear).
I recall going to school with the Ethiopian population and never even thinking about anyone of us being different from the other. Here, we see the same spirit and efforts. In Israel, we are all equal and these efforts prove it.
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Miriam Gershenson is an Israeli-American based in Escondido, California.