The scholarships are awarded to academic students from the Druze sector who serve in the IDF reserves. Launched by the Zionist Council in Israel (in conjunction with the World Zionist Organization), the scholarship project is a joint initiative of the Israeli Congress and the Menomadin Foundation, in collaboration with the Ofakim La’Atid Association. The entire project and scholarship award ceremony are dedicated to commemorating and honoring the fallen Druze soldiers who have been killed in action since the outbreak of the Swords of Iron war.
Background
A covenant for life, a bond of shared fate, and mutual accountability form a steadfast union between the Druze community and Jewish society in Israel. This covenant, which began even before the establishment of the State of Israel, has made and continues to make a significant contribution to Israeli society in all aspects. Young Druze men and women stand shoulder to shoulder with their Jewish brothers and sister, willingly taking on civil and defense duties. Druze participation in Israel’s security apparatus—encompassing the IDF, Prison Service, and police—surpasses their demographic representation in the broader population. Their bravery is reflected in the heavy toll the community has paid in all of Israel’s wars, including the Swords of Iron war, which has been ongoing since October 2023.
These are the names of the Druze soldiers, heroes of Israel, who have fallen since October 7th, in whose memory the scholarship is awarded: Staff Sgt. Daniel Rashed Z”L; Lt. Col. Alim Abdallah Z”L; Sgt. 1st Class Jawad Amer Z”L; Lt.-Col. Salman Habka Z”L; Maj. Jamal Abbas Z”L; Staff Sgt. Adi Malik Harb Z”L; Staff Sgt. Sufian Dagash Z”L; Master Sgt. Anwar Serhan Z”L; Cpt. Wassem Mahmoud Z”L; Maj. Jalaa Ibrahem Z”L; Maj. (res.) Nael Fwarsy Z”L; Col. Ehsan Daxa Z”L; Sgt. Tamer Othman Z”L; Cpt. Amir Saad Z”L
The Challenge
The matriculation eligibility rate in Druze education is considerably higher than the national average: in the 2017–2018 academic year, the eligibility rate among the Druze community was 82.2% compared to 69.9% for the national average. The percentage of IDF enlistees is remarkably high, currently standing at 82%, half of whom voluntarily serving in combat positions. Following their service, approximately 40% of Druze high school graduates go on to pursue a bachelor’s degree, securing their further integration into Israeli society, particularly in the health and education sectors.
Despite these impressive figures, the Druze community experiences gaps and inequality in many areas. Most predominantly Druze towns and villages rank 3 or 4 in socioeconomic index, few rank 5, and not a single one ranks higher. According to the Central Bureau of Statistics census (2021), the Druze community suffers from under-representation in mid- and senior-level positions in both local and national public service; average salary is lower than that of the Jewish community—26% less for men and approximately 46% less for women (according to an impact research by the Menomadin Foundation and its partners).
Lacking proper national planning for accommodating the expanding Druze population, the community suffers grave distress in its plea to build homes for future generations. The Kaminitz Law further adds to the sense of discrimination. Since the onset of the Swords of Iron War, it has come to attention that many Druze families whose members serve on the front lines are defenseless against attacks of various forms, with an astounding 72% of the homes in Druze communities lacking proper shelter facilities.
Another painful issue is the Basic Law: The Nation-State Law, which was approved by the Knesset in 2018 and enshrines the State of Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people. Many members of the Druze community find the law harmful and discriminatory.
These gaps and undeniable inequality require action to ensure that members of the Druze community feel that they are not only brothers in arms, but also equal partners in the state.
The Opportunity
The Zionist Council in Israel, the Israeli Congress, the Menomadin Foundation, and Ofakim La’Atid are all organizations that regularly work to bind the hearts of the Druze and Jewish communities and cultivate a sense of belonging. The scholarship project is another step in promoting this aspiration. The scholarships are granted to Druze students in reserve service, and honor the memory of the Druze heroes who fell in the Swords of Iron war. The scholarships are designed to empower and encourage students who successfully combine intensive reserve service with academic studies.
Forty scholarships were awarded at the heartfelt ceremony held in December 2024, with an additional 40 to be awarded at the end of 2025. In total, the scholarships amount to hundreds of thousands of shekels. The scholarship is granted to Druze students who have served for at least 30 days during 2024–2025. Priority is given to those with extended combat service, taking into consideration socioeconomic criteria. Many of the scholarship recipients served for prolonged periods, far beyond the 30-day threshold criterion, and some were wounded in battle.
“We see this project not only as financial support but as a statement of appreciation and value of the partnership between the Druze community and the Jewish public in Israel. It is our responsibility to nurture this covenant of brotherhood not only in times of crisis, but in times of peace as well,” says Adv. Oz Haim, CEO of the Zionist Council in Israel. For many years, the Zionist Council has stood alongside the Druze community as an equal partner in its values and work.
Photo: Elad Gutman
Adv. Ronen Aviani, CEO of the Israeli Congress, adds that this project is another action within the wide range of programs promoted by the Israeli Congress in the fields of education, civil equality, and for strengthening the Druze community in the public and academic spheres, aiming to sound “a clear voice of connection, respect, and appreciation in vision and in action to bolster the covenant forged between the two peoples.”
Another entity that has forged a long-standing partnership with the Druze community is the Menomadin Foundation. “We work extensively to promote a deep kinship with the Druze community and are proud to participate in this important project that honors the young people of the Druze community who chose to serve, defend, and sacrifice what is most precious for the sake of the State of Israel and its citizens,” says Dr. Merav Galili, CEO of the Foundation. “The scholarships are a humble expression of great gratitude and a firm statement: We see you, we recognize your contribution, and we will continue to stand by your side at all times and through every challenge.”
In addition to the scholarship, the Menomadin Foundation and Ma’ase Center operate the Druze Leadership Program Aalam, which aims to increase Druze representation in key public service positions. The partnership with the Ministry of the Negev, Galilee and National Resilience, expands the local program to a national level, integrating young community members into the state’s decision-making centers, enabling them to lead change in all areas of life.
Photo: Elad Gutman
The Social Impact
- Promoting an inclusive society and strengthening a sense of belonging across all spheres of the Druze community: among the student reservists who receive the scholarships, among the families of the fallen whose loved ones are honored, and among the community as a whole, whose contribution to all areas of life in Israel is recognized and appreciated.
- Expanding the responsible actions of leading institutions to promote mutual responsibility, camaraderie, justice, and unity in Israeli society, with the goal of serving as a replicable model for public bodies, businesses, and philanthropy.
- Fostering equal opportunities in practice by helping to make academic studies more accessible, as a tool for reducing gaps and facilitating integration into dignified and impactful employment.
