This last weekend we toured North Israel to see a different
part of the country and to also learn more about other minority groups in
Israel. Following a day in the Negev
Desert learning about the Bedouin population’s culture, we had a three-day trip
to multiple sites in the north.
We learned about the Druze culture and enjoyed a lunch of traditional
foods. Historically most closely related to Islam, throughout history Druze believers have blended into varying religions and societies in hopes of avoiding religious persecution. There are multiple Druze
communities in Israel and groups are found in many places around the
world. Divided into secular and
religious, the secrets of the religion’s beliefs are known only to those
who are the religious (more devout leaders in the religion).
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| Traditional Druze Hospitality Lunch |
Today, multiple units of Druze currently serve in
the Israeli army. Druze communities located in the
Golan Heights cross the border and trade on a regular basis within Syria. Some of
these groups still identify with the Syrian government, as before the 1967 Six Day War this area fell under Syrian control. Many
Druze communities within Syria fight alongside the Assad regime instead of the rebel
forces, as Druze historically are usually very loyal to the government’s they live
under.
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| Israel - Syrian Border (Golan Heights) |
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| Farmland along the border |
During our trip to Northern Israel we also hiked down the side of Mount Arbel. Below is a fortress from the time of King
Herod built into the side of the cliff. It served as protection for the Jewish
community who resisted his rule in the area. Focused on fighting those hiding in the fortress, King
Herod devised a pulley system that served as an elevator to lower
soldiers in baskets to breach the fortress walls.
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| View from the hike |
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| Wildlife |
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| Looking up at the fortress |
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| Fortress in the cliff |
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