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For the past week and a half, a delegation of three members of Israel’s Druze community has been visiting the United States on a speaking tour organized by the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM).
The purpose of the delegation is to offer a multifaceted view of contemporary life in Israel, deepen understanding and appreciation for the its diverse social tapestry, and highlight the unique and integral role the Druze community has played in the country’s history.
During their time in New York City, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and Miami, the delegation members have also been sharing their non-Jewish perspectives on the trauma endured by Israel on October 7th and testifying to the horrific atrocities that Hamas perpetrated that day against peoples of all ethnicities and faiths.
The delegation members, all from the village of Isfiya on Mount Carmel near Haifa, are: Amir Lilawy, an electrical engineer; Walid Sharoof, an entrepreneur (CEO and Chairman of Lassol Ltd.) and youth soccer coach; and Azzam Hasan, a marketer and researcher. They are being accompanied on their trip by CAM Director of Community Engagement Shira Granot.
As of Wednesday, the delegation had held meetings with B’nai B’rith International, the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, Rumi Forum, U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Rashad Hussain, U.S. Congressmen Lou Correa and Juan Vargas, the offices of Congressmen Randy Weber and Jared Moskowitz and Senator Bill Hagerty, Minister for Public Diplomacy at the Israeli Embassy in Washington Sawsan Natour Hasson, Senior Envoy for the Jewish Agency for Israel to Washington Gadeer Kamal-Mreeh, the Neuberger Berger investment management firm, and the OHR Foundation, among other officials and organizations.
The delegation attended communal events at Adas Israel Congregation, where the Jerusalem Youth Chorus performed, and Washington Hebrew Congregation.
They also took part in the antisemitism forum organized by CAM and B’nai Brith International at the OAS headquarters in Washington, D.C., last week and an Israeli wine-tasting experience hosted by CAM and Young Jewish Professionals (YJP) in New York City earlier this week.
“For over four decades of my life, as a Druze living in Israel, I have witnessed a fascinating encounter between religions, cultures, and identities,” Sharoof said. “Israel, a complex country, is home to Jews, Muslims, Christians, Druze, and more, all of us sharing a common fate. Many times, the image of Israel in the global realm is displayed through colors of conflict and antisemitism. When, in fact, the reality of living there is a different one. It’s a reality of coexistence, of co-living. It’s a story of diverse communities living side by side in harmony, with mutual respect and a constant learning process.”
“We, the residents of Israel, work every day to distance ourselves from hatred and antisemitism,” he added. “We prove that it is possible to build a different future, a future of peace and common understanding.”
Today our Druze Delegation attended a luncheon at the @Conf_of_Pres NYC office, where we met with CEO William @Daroff and former Knesset Member @GadeerMreeh.
As we told them, at a time when external enemies are trying to break us, our strength lies in our ability to stand… pic.twitter.com/i6xszJXCd4
— Combat Antisemitism Movement (@CombatASemitism) April 17, 2024
Lilawy said, “During October 7th and the half a year since, we’ve been under missile attacks, people have been kidnapped, women have been violated, and soldiers and civilians have been killed. For nearly 200 days, people have been in tunnels, under harsh conditions, often without food, 200 days without seeing daylight, hearing from family, showering, or living normal lives. What would you do in our place? What would your country if facing a similar situation to Israel’s? Surely, you would also fight.”
Hasan said, “The events of October 7th left a deep mark on our lives and reminded us of how important unity and national solidarity are. At a time when external enemies try to break us, our strength lies in our ability to stand together, support each other, and continue to build a country where mutual respect and peace are guiding values. Instead of succumbing to hatred and antisemitism, we must unite and show the world that Israel is strong in its cohesiveness, its values, and its commitment to coexistence and peace. We must continue to work toward a society where every person, regardless of religion, race, or origin, feels safe and respected.”
“It is important to remember that Israel is not just the state of the Jews, but a country where all its residents, regardless of religion or identity, are entitled to live with dignity and security,” he continued. “Our challenges are many, but our ability to overcome them depends on our ability to work together, strengthen intercultural ties, and build a common future.”
The Druze community of Israel totals around 150,000 people, comprising roughly 2% of the country’s overall population. The Druze largely live in northern Israel, on Mount Carmel and across the Galilee region and Golan Heights. Actively involved in Israeli civic life, the Druze are well-represented in the public domain, including politics and the military.
