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They chose Israel over the Arab world. Israel chose them back.

JL;DR SUMMARY The Israeli Air Force's recent humanitarian aid mission to support the Druze community in Syria underscores the unique and enduring relationship between Israel and the Druze. A way out west there was a fella, fella I want to tell you about, fella by the name of Jeff Lebowski. At least, that was the handle his lovin' parents gave him, but he never had much use for it himself. This Lebowski, he called himself the Dude. Now, Dude, that's a name no one would self-apply where I come from. But then, there was a lot about the Dude that didn't make a whole lot of sense to me. And a lot about where he lived, likewise. But then again, maybe that's why I found the place s'durned innarestin'.

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Tags

Middle EastIdfSyriaCultureDruzeLoyaltyAidMilitarySectarian Strife

Places mentioned

Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv District, Israel
"Sheikh Amin Tarifs decision to remain neutral in the early phases of the war, and later to side openly with Israel, changed history."
Syria
"On May 3rd, the IDF confirmed an airstrike near the palace of Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa in Damascus."
Israel
"In return, Jewish forces agreed not to target Druze areas and to treat them as potential allies, not enemies."
Nazareth, Northern District, Israel
"Druze Arabic is distinct from Palestinian dialects, but Druze operatives grow up immersed in Arabic culture and language."
Haifa District, Israel
"These are not the actions of a cynical occupier but of a nation guided by principle."
Haifa, Haifa District, Israel
"Many also grow up in mixed or adjacent communities, developing a deep understanding of cultural norms."
Jerusalem, Israel
"In 1949, Sheikh Tarif made that alignment official. He visited the Knesset (Israeli parliament), recognized Israels sovereignty."
Damascus, Syria
"Today, the global Druze population numbers around one million, with more than half residing in Syria, primarily in the southern Sweida province and in suburbs around Damascus such as Jaramana and Ashrafiyat Sahnaya."
Jaramana, Rif Dimashq, Syria
"Today, the global Druze population numbers around one million, with more than half residing in Syria, primarily in the southern Sweida province and in suburbs around Damascus such as Jaramana and Ashrafiyat Sahnaya."
Ashrafiyat Sahnaya, Rif Dimashq, Syria
"Today, the global Druze population numbers around one million, with more than half residing in Syria, primarily in the southern Sweida province and in suburbs around Damascus such as Jaramana and Ashrafiyat Sahnaya."
Sweida, As-Suwayda, Syria
"In an unprecedented act of cross-border humanitarian solidarity, the Israeli Air Force dispatched a helicopter carrying aid to the embattled Druze population of Sweida reportedly the first time aid has been delivered in this manner."
Metula, Central District, Israel
"He persuaded Druze villages to avoid participation in the Arab revolt, helped facilitate safe passage for IDF units in strategic northern Israel areas."

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Retrieved 2025-05-05 05:30:52 UTC
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