In the heart of Israel: the untold story of the Druze legacy in Pki’in

In the stunning setting of northern Israel, surrounded by emerald green forests and breathtaking landscapes, lies Pki’in, an ancient village that is home to some of the most diverse communities in the country.

Famous for being the village that has remained continuously inhabited by the Jews, who have never left it since the Second Temple period (around 70 CE), Pki’in’s population is primarily Druze - making up about 75% - followed by Jews, Muslims, and Christians. This unique mix makes Pki’in a symbol of peaceful coexistence among different religious groups, a fascinating part of Israel’s cultural and historical mosaic.

It was in this charming village that we met Nabil, a Druze man originally from Syria who has lived a life of protection and loyalty to Israel.

Nabil telling us his story over a coffee in Pki'in.

A history of loyalty dedication

Sitting over excellent coffee and an astronomical amount of Syrian food, Nabil began sharing his story and the secrets that characterise his community.

“My story is a special one, both in my civilian life and military service,” he began. Until the age of 14, he attended school, but after that, he worked on the streets. He spent four years working in Rishon LeZion, in Central Israel, harvesting fruits and doing various jobs to get through the month.

Then, when he turned 18, he enlisted in the IDF’s Golani Brigade. His father had also served in Golani, and in 1967, he joined the unit right before the Six-Day War. He went through commander training in Golani and fought in the Six-Day War against Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. Nabil was stationed in the Golan Heights, where the battles were intense, and he was injured twice during the war.

After the Six-Day War he was transferred to Sinai, where he fought for three more years, serving as an explosives officer. He spent many years in the army and was eventually wounded in another explosion.

“Thank God,” he continued, “today I am married with seven children, 22 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Many of my grandchildren serve in combat units, protecting Israel just as I did.”

The Druze take pride in serving and protecting their homeland, and they encourage others, especially the Haredim (extremely religious Jews who are exempt from military service to focus on Torah study), to enlist as well. They believe everyone should contribute.

After all, who will protect the country if not the people who live in it?

The Druze face many challenges in their region, but in their heart they must protect Israel at any cost. “There’s a lot of hatred out there,” Nabil emphasized, “especially against Israelis, whether they’re Jewish or not. If you tell someone you’re Druze, they often don’t even know what that means. But the Druze have a long history, and we’ve always served the country where we live. In Israel, we proudly serve in the IDF.”

But who exactly are the Druze?

The Druze people are spread across four countries in the Middle East. The largest population is in Syria, with nearly a million Druze. There are about 600.000 in Lebanon, 150.000 in Israel, and around 60.000 in Jordan. Wherever they live, Druze serve their country and fly its national flag. They swear allegiance under the flag of the country they reside in - taking an oath, that in Israel happens after completing basic military training, pledging loyalty to the country and its military. They are a proud and loyal community.

People sometimes ask if Druze from Israel have fought against Druze from Syria: the answer is no, because they fight for the country they live in.

The Druze are also deeply connected to their heritage. For instance, they follow dietary laws similar to Jewish kosher laws - only eating fish with scales, and no pork or alcohol for religious Druze. However, not all Druze are religious, as it varies by age: younger generations tend to be less religious, but as people grow older, they often become more connected to the faith.

There is also a strong belief in reincarnation: many Druze believe that when someone dies, they are reborn. There have even been documented cases of children remembering their past lives, including one child who claimed to have been a pilot and accurately described how to fly a plane.

Last but not least, another important aspect of the Druze faith is that it is unique. While people can convert to Judaism, Christianity, or Islam, it is not possible to convert to the Druze religion: you are only Druze if both of your parents are Druze. One can leave the community and later come back, but you cannot join it. There is a "gate" that allows people to exit, but there’s no gate for entry.