Syrian Druze Clerics Make Historic Visit to Israel After Decades

Taboonia, a new Israeli Druze restaurant in NYC, is run by a Nova music festival survivor

(New York Jewish Week) — Opening a kosher restaurant in New York City wasn’t always in the cards for Raif Rashed, a Druze from the village of Usfiya in northern Israel. But as Rashed, the owner of Taboonia — a new Druze restaurant in the Garment District that’s currently seeking kosher certification — will be the first to tell you, sometimes life can take an unexpected turn, especially after a tragedy. An engineer by trade, Rashed, 40, moved to …

Israel Opens Its Borders For Syrian Druze, Something Big Is About To Happen - Israel Unwired

Hundreds of Druze dignitaries and leaders from Syria visited Israel, including the tomb of the Biblical Yitro in the Galilee for the first time 50 years. A truly historic and emotional moment. Hundreds of Druze from Syria entered Israel today with IDF approval to visit a sacred site for the Druze people for the first time since 1948. Beyond borders and time – a gathering that connects brothers, tradition, and shared roots.… pic.twitter.com/OtKg…

The new government in Damascus wants to disarm them, Israel embraces them as allies: the Syrian Druze are caught in the crosshairs of the powers. A visit to the stronghold of a stubborn minority.

Druze clerics from Syria meet brethren in Israel for first time in decades

Despite criticism against the visit voiced by members of the Druze community, thousands came out to welcome them in Israel. 'We are not seeking political goals,' Sheikh Tarif said. 'Our brothers deserve to visit the holy places, just as members of other communities visit their holy places in the Middle East'

100+ Syrian Druze Sheikhs Enter Israel to Pray at Jethro’s Tomb

The Druze of Syria are directly related to the Druze of Israel.

Woman injured by celebratory gunfire of Syrian Druze visiting Israel

The visitors were “shooting from vehicles with half their bodies outside. Our houses have bullet holes on the balconies,” a local resident said.The post Woman injured by celebratory gunfire of Syrian Druze visiting Israel appeared first on JNS.org.