For the first time in the history of the Jewish Agency for Israel, a Druze representative—former Knesset member Col. (res.) Mofid Marai—was appointed to join the board committees on behalf of the Jewish Federations of North America upon the recommendation of Jewish Agency chairman Maj. Gen. (res.) Doron Almog.
Marai participated in his first board meeting on Nov. 17, which drew approximately 200 representatives of organizations and leading figures across world Jewry to Israel.
A former MK representing the Blue and White Party, Marai is the Jewish Agency’s commissioner for the promotion of Druze society on behalf of the Jewish Agency. He has served as commander of the IDF’s Druze-only Herev Battalion; commanded the military’s Hermon and Oded Brigades; headed the Hurfeish Regional Council in northern Israel; and serves as chair of the Hurfeish-MetroWest New Jersey Partnership.
Given his deep and valuable contributions to the State of Israel, he was a natural and meaningful choice as a new member of the Jewish Agency’s Board of Governors.
“Having Col. Mofid Marai join the Board of Governors of the Jewish Agency symbolizes the deep connection as well as the recognition of the strategic and historical commitment between the Druze community and the State of Israel,” said Almog.
“It is a tremendous privilege for me to represent the Druze community on the Jewish Agency’s Board of Governors and to be part of an organization committed to every community in Israel and across the Jewish world,” stated Marai. “We, the members of the Druze community, have stood with the State of Israel for generations and will continue to do so in the future. I see my new position as a mission to strengthen the relationship, partnership and equality between the Druze community and the State of Israel, and a significant opportunity to advance the important needs of the Druze community in Israel. I thank the Board of Governors for their respect and trust.”
The board also adopted a resolution calling on the Israeli Knesset to pass legislation that acknowledges the Druze community’s commitment to the state and that affirms the full equality of rights to which the Druze citizens of Israel are entitled.
This historic decision for the Jewish Agency to salute and stand with the Jewish people’s Druze community comes in the aftermath of the tragedy that befell Majdal Shams and the entire Druze community in July, when 12 Druze boys and girls were killed during a soccer game in a rocket attack launched by Hezbollah in Lebanon. Additionally, a dozen IDF soldiers and officers from the Druze community have fallen since the outbreak of the Swords of Iron War, most of them senior officers.
Said Almog: “We salute the Druze community for standing firmly with Israel and for its valuable contributions to the nation.”
