Christians and Druze Stand Together in Mourning at Majdal Shams

In a powerful display of interfaith solidarity, the Christian community in Jerusalem has extended support to the Druze community in Majdal Shams, a town in the Golan Heights still grieving the tragic loss of twelve children. These children were killed when a missile fired by Hezbollah struck the soccer field where they were playing. An additional 42 people were injured in the attack, which has left the town reeling.

Elias Zarina, a Christian activist and co-founder of the Jerusalemite Initiative, explained the motivation behind this support effort: "We wanted to take a part to support those children and to show that also that Christian community standing beside the Druze community are feeling the same horrible feelings that they also feel." The Jerusalemite Initiative, a non-profit organization, promotes the integration of Arab Christians into Israeli society, and its recent efforts highlight the bond between the Christian and Druze communities.

The organization delivered 84 boxes filled with paint, markers, and other art supplies to help the children of Majdal Shams process their grief through art therapy. The boxes also included various games, providing a creative outlet and a semblance of normalcy amidst the tragedy.

Zarina described the atmosphere in Majdal Shams as one of pervasive sadness and shock. "Basically, you feel that everything is under a black color. Everyone is at a big condolence tent," he said. The community is particularly surprised and shaken by being targeted by Hezbollah, as many of the older generation still identify with their Syrian heritage and never imagined being caught in the crossfire of such a conflict.

The missile attack has brought international attention to the Golan Druze community. While the older generation remains connected to Syria, the younger generation has been integrating more into Israeli society, a trend that accelerated following the Syrian Civil War. This integration stands in contrast to the past when the Golan Druze rejected Israeli citizenship after the Golan Heights was captured during the Six-Day War in 1967, holding out hope that Syria would regain the territory.

Historically, the Druze in the Galilee and Mount Carmel regions aligned with Jewish communities during Israel’s War of Independence in 1948, choosing to integrate into Israeli society and establishing themselves in various public and military roles. Druze soldiers are highly respected in Israel, with the bond between Jewish and Druze soldiers often referred to as the “covenant of blood,” symbolizing a deep, shared commitment.

The Druze communities across Israel, Lebanon, and Syria share a unique heritage, tracing their lineage to Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses, whom they call Shuaib. Although they speak Arabic, the Druze are not Muslim, and in Israel, they hold senior positions in both public and military life.

This tragedy in Majdal Shams has highlighted the enduring connections between the Christian and Druze communities in Israel and their shared resilience in the face of adversity. As these communities unite in mourning, their solidarity sends a powerful message of unity and support in challenging times.

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