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Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi praised Druze officers Friday, comparing them to the ancient band of Jewish warriors who overthrew Greek rule in the Holy Land. "The Druze officers are our generation's Maccabees," Ashkenazi said during a visit Friday to the Galilee village of Kfar Julis. The chief of staff appeared in Kfar Julis to mark the Islamic Feast of the Sacrific, or Eid al-Adha. In light of the recent violent clashes between police and residents of the Druze town of Peki'in, Ashkenazi sought to emphasize and strengthen ties with the Druze community.The IDF chief added that the rate of enlistment of Druze soldiers into the IDF - among the highest in the country - continues to climb. Ashkenazi said that more than half of Druze enlistees serve in combat units, and ranking officers continue to take command of soldiers operating in vital areas. Ashkenazi also paid a visit to Bedouin community leaders in Kfar Julis, during which he praised Bedouin soldiers, vowing that any Bedouin who enlists will receive every opportunity that is afforded to other soldiers. Ashkenazi cited the importance of army service for young Bedouins as an entrance ticket into Israeli society. On Sunday, both chief rabbis, Yona Metzger and Shlomo Amar, will meet with Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Muafek Tarif in Kfar Julis. Metzger and Amar will proceed onto Peki'in following the meeting. As in the days of Noah....
