Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF), responsible for Israel’s forests, held a tree planting ceremony in memory of Druze soldiers who have given their lives in the current Iron Swords War.
“The Druze community’s journey of mourning since the beginning of the war is a journey of mourning for the entire nation,” Shaykh Mowafaq Tarif, the Spiritual Leader of the Druze Community in Israel said at the ceremony.
Yet, thanks to this journey, we can maintain normalcy in the country. KKL-JNF’s initiative is a touching and significant gesture – planting trees in memory of the fallen here in the Galilee, where the roots of the Druze community have been planted for nearly a thousand years,” Shaykh Tarif added.
There are about 143,000 Druze citizens living in northern Israel, including the Golan Heights. The men are all required to join the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), at about age 18, like Israeli Jewish men.
Nine Druze soldiers are among the more than 670 Israeli soldiers that have fallen in battle since the October 7th war, dubbed Iron Swords, began.
“The Druze community has walked hand in hand with KKL-JNF for years. Our relationship is deeply rooted and important, covering a range of fields and
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