Loyalty of Druse to Israel Praised; Druse Say They Have Common Future with Jews

The loyalty to Israel of the Druse, the Arab mountain-tribe that has been persecuted by the Arab states for their political position, was praised on the publication of the book “Ties of Blood,” by Musaabah Halabi. The book discloses that 80 Druse soldiers have died in Israeli-Arab wars. Amal Nasr Eddin, a bereaved Druse father, said: “We have a common future, and what is good for the State of Israel is also good for Jews and Druse alike.” Mr. Eddin spoke at publication ceremonies in the office of Dr. Zerach Warhaftig, Minister of Religious Affairs. Dr. Warhaftig said that “Every Druse soldier who falls causes us sorrow and pain.” Sheikh Jaber Muadi, a Druse member of the Knesset, noted that “The ties of blood between the two nations has historic roots beginning with Moses and his father-in-law, Jethro.” The latter is considered the oldest ancestor of the Druse.