Druze anger rising over Israel’s Nationality Law
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not foresee the degree of anger the Nationality Law would generate among the Druze, with protests spreading quickly, including to the military.
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.
