On July 19, the Knesset adopted the controversial Nationality Law, codifying the Jewish character of the State of Israel. Since then, Israeli Druze, Arabs and Jewish members of the opposition have been protesting it. Two weeks on, the protests continue, with those by the Druze expanding, including to the Holy of Holies of Israeli society — the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

As of Aug. 1, three Druze officers had resigned their commissions and announced that they would be leaving the IDF to protest the law's passage. Another officer, Capt. Amir Jamal, posted a scathing response to the law on Facebook, earning him an IDF suspension. The IDF is still deciding how to deal with another Druze officer who responded similarly to the law. The military prohibits members from expressing themselves on political issues, which is why it is having a hard time dealing with reactions to the law.

This sensitive and volatile situation forced IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot to rush to a meeting July 31 with the spiritual leader of Israel's Druze community, Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif. Eizenkot also released a statement calling on everyone to keep the political debate out of the army. Sheikh Tarif joined Eizenkot in his statement and called on young Druze not to refuse to serve, not to leave the army, and not to harm what is called the “covenant of blood” between the Druze and the Jews, an alliance that began even before Israel's founding.

As a major demonstration on Aug. 4 approaches, it seems as if their calls have failed to lower the temperature. What before the law's passage was considered a possible, but fleeting, tactical problem is turning out to be a major strategic issue. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has already met twice with the leader of the Druze community and even created a special team to address their concerns and demands. He has, nevertheless, shown no signs of regret.