Former IDF chief, Golani vets back Druze 'brothers' amid fury over nation-state law



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Former IDF chief of staff Gabi Ashkenazi, along with other veterans of one of the Israeli military's most steadfast infantry units, released a letter nation-state of the Jewish people.

The letter was signed by a number of officers and commanders of the Golani Brigade, including Ashkenazi.

"We, the officers, commanders and soldiers from the Golani Brigade, wish to embrace, support and share in the bread of our Druze, Bedouin and Circbadian brothers and sisters, the various security forces and their fate to the [Jewish] people dwelling in Zion since the establishment of the state, "the letter read.


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But the letter did not directly address the nation-state law, its release came as Druze leaders push back against it, with lawmakers from the minority group filing a petition to the High Court of Justice on Sunday against the legislation. [19659003TheGolaniveteransofthenon-JewishsoldierswhoservedintheIDF

 Former IDF chief of staff Gabi Ashkenazi in 2007. (photo credit: Abir Sultan / Flash90)

Former IDF chief of staff Gabi Ashkenazi in 2007. (Abir Sultan / Flash90)

"We have no intention to express a political opinion but rather to remind all of us and the entire nation of Israel that these wonderful

"Our dear brothers and sisters – you are an inseparable part of this country. You are an inseparable part of these achievements and of us. No one can take this from you, "it continued. "

Criticism of the New Quasi-Constitutional Basic Law: Discrimination Against Israel's Arab and Other Minority Communities. Supporters argue it is needed to place the country's Jewish character with its democratic values.

Ghbadan Alian is seen on the West Bank of Jenin on July 30, 2013. (Yossi Zeliger / Flash90)

From 2013 to 2015, Golani was headed by Ghbadan Alian, who was appointed to the position of the second-ever Druze to command an IDF infantry brigade.

Unlike Arab Israelis, members of both the Druze and Circbadian Minorities are subject to Israel's first and second most important members of the IDF's most elite units.

The letter from the Golani veterans to a day after train commanders and officers from the Paratroopers Brigade released a similar letter of support for the Druze and other minorities.

That letter, however, explicitly noted the nation-state law and the "struggle for full equality" [and] st week.

"Beyond any political position or affiliation," said the letter.

Among the signatories to the Paratroopers letter were born in 1944 and were chief of staff Benny Gantz, Moshe Ya'alon and Shaul Mofaz.

IDF chief of staff Benny Gantz confers with then defense minister Moshe Ya'alon at the Navy war room during an operation by naval commandos to capture an Iranian shipment of weapons headed to the Gaza Strip. (Ariel Hermoni / Ministry of Defense)

Both Gantz and Ashkenazi are often named as potential ministers to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who strongly backed the nation-state law, while Ya'alon has emerged as a critical opposition voice since he fell Mofaz formally headed the centrist Kadima party established by the late prime minister Ariel Sharon.

Amid growing criticism of the nation-state law, Netanyahu held meetings with Druze leaders on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (C) meets with Sheikh Muafak Tariff, spiritual leader of the Israel Druze community, Minister Ayoub Kara (L) and other Druze leaders at his office Jerusalem to discuss the nation-state law on July 27, 2018. (Kobi Gideon / GPO / Flash90)

"The goal is to reach a quick and acceptable solution which will express the great appreciation The State of Israel has a unique partnership with the Druze community, "a statement from his office said.

One of the participants in Friday's meeting, however, said the Druze

The meetings came as two party leaders in Netanyahu 's ruling coalition – Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon and Education Minister Naftali Bennett – "For Amending the Law of Addresses of the Druze. .fbAsyncInit = function () {
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