IDF sees sharp rise in enlistment from Druze, Bedouins, and Arab Christians

The Jerusalem Post ^ | December 2, 2025 | Dana Ben-Shimon

[Twotone]

When deadly clashes erupted last July between Bedouin and Druze militias in the southern Syrian city of Sweida, some members of the Druze community living in Israel crossed the border to protect their kin. For Safi Ibrahim, an IDF colonel from the community, the crisis sparked genuine solidarity and brought emotions to the surface. As part of the events, he participated in a military operation in Syria – a mission that became deeply personal for him, fusing his military service with his identity.

snip

Unlike the Druze of the Galilee and Carmel – who serve proudly and prominently in the IDF – the Golan’s Druze historically held residency without Israeli citizenship and avoided military service.

That is now shifting, Ibrahim said. IDF enlistment among Golan Druze has surged, with motivation reportedly six times higher than before. He was the first to identify and cultivate the change.

snip

As well as overseeing the recruitment and integration of soldiers from the Druze and Circassian communities, for whom military service is mandatory, Ibrahim is also responsible for Bedouins, Muslims, and Christians, for whom conscription is voluntary. He said there has been an increase in enlistment across the board.

[MinorityRepublican]

Israel should annex Druze territory in Southern Syria.

[Uncle Miltie]

I’m as pro-Israel as anyone, but expanding Israel’s borders seems an invitation to permanent war.

I’d rather Israel work with the possibly amenable Syrian government to secure the rights and physical protection of the Druze, Christians and others of Syria.

This is very difficult stuff. There are real security needs, there are family affinities across borders, there are human rights issues, there is civilizational struggle, etc.

[Uncle Miltie]

For example, it seems from time to time that the Druze and Christians of Syria would prefer to be Israelis. Fair enough. But I think we need a few (3?) generations of peace between Israel and its neighbors in which peace and brotherhood and trade and cultural exchange are normalized. Then, as those neighbors become more normal governments, perhaps they would consider a plebiscite from their minority groups to switch countries and take their dirt with them.

That’s a really long shot and a long time. And I think it’s better than the war that would almost assuredly start if Israel annexed.

[The Louiswu]

According to the Pew Research Center, there were 51 Muslim-majority countries in 2020, and as of December 12, 2025, the global Muslim population is estimated to be approximately 2.056 billion people, representing over 25% of the world's total population

As of 2025, the world's core Jewish population is estimated at 15.8 million, representing approximately 0.2% of the global population...and the media and the Muslim world wants me to believe it's the Jews fault that there is so much unrest in the middle east...

[montag813]

This doesn’t seem like a good idea

[FreedomPoster]

>expanding Israel’s borders seems an invitation to permanent war.

How would that be different from the permanent war Muslims wage on them now?

[Twotone]

My first thought as well, but one hopes they now realize their mistake & will act in good faith.

[Jewbacca]

Expansion of Israel’s borders is not under consideration by any mainstream political party.

Now, some sort of DMZ or protectorate for the Druze has been batted around, but also with great reluctance.

[roving]

If you knew how much land God promised Israel, you would probably have a heart attack.

[jjotto]

https://outorah.org/p/37693

...Two clichés, both based on pesukim in Tanach, are commonly used to describe the expanse of the borders of the Land of Israel:

(A) ‘from the Nile to the Euphrate’ (B) ‘from Dan to Beer Sheva’

The discrepancy between these two borders is immense!...

[Uncle Miltie]

“Expansion of Israel’s borders is not under consideration by any mainstream political party.”

I wish your obvious statement of fact could penetrate the very thick skulls of Jew haters here who insist Israel is working on a Greater Israel to encompass most of the Middle East and exterminate all the other populations.

Their fever dreams are never extinguished.

[Jewbacca]

“Their fever dreams are never extinguished.”

Every generation means every generation.

[magooey]

When the Jews were kicked out of Arab countries in the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s, the Arab governments confiscated land amounting to 5 times the size of Israel. How is this thievery to be compensated?

[Verginius Rufus]

The map shows as part of Israel part of the Golan Heights that was Syrian until 1967 (the dashes show the old border). President Trump recognized Israel’s sovereignty over that area in 2019, but is that permanent US policy or does it depend on who is President? Has any other country acknowledged that area as part of Israel?