Shhhhh...the idea of non-Jews being happy and willing to contribute to Israel's defense is a secret that must not get out.Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Benny Gantz on Friday (November 4) visited the Bedouin village of Zarzir and met with community leaders, including Hassan al-Hayeb, head of the local council.
Lt. Gen. Gantz also visited the Druze village of Julis in honor of the start of the Eid al-Adha holiday and met with community leaders there as well, including Sheikh Muwafak Tarif.
Lt. Gen. Gantz thanked his hosts and talked about the importance of increasing the enlistment rates from all sectors of Israeli society. He expressed his appreciation for the dedicated service that Bedouins and Druze soldiers have given to the IDF.
In recent years, the enlistment rate in the IDF has increased in the Bedouin and Druze communities. Data shows that the enlistment rate in the Druze sector is higher than in the Jewish sector (83% compared to 72 %) and that 60% of Druze soldiers in the IDF serve in combat units.
Data also shows an increase in the enlistment rate in the Bedouin sector (from 345 in 2005 to 492 currently).
Language poses the largest challenge to minorities serving in the IDF, although surveys show that most minority soldiers view their army experiences as positive.
It could really hurt all those conferences and books and people that swear that Israel is an apartheid state.