Though they are non-Jewish (primarily Muslim) ethnic minorities in Israel, the Druze and Circassian people have contributed substantially to the establishment, development, and maintenance of the State of Israel even since before her inception in 1948. Though they are not legally required to serve in the IDF, many members of both communities have volunteered to defend and protect the Land against her enemies.
Most of the 150,000 Druze and 5,000 Circassians of Israel reside in the Galilee region. Like so many of their fellow countrymen in northern Israel, they were assailed by the rockets, drones, and artillery that Hezbollah operatives fired upon them from southern Lebanon. In response to this situation, Drorit Steinmetz, Director General of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), brainstormed with the Authority for Economic and Social Development of Druze and Circassian Localities to determine the financial priorities for restructuring both communities and develop a realistic and practical budget accordingly.
The PMO will allocate 180 million USD toward urban and housing planning, about 300 million toward bolstering local economies and government services at all levels, 125 million USD toward developing career- and job market-driven education programmes, and another 300 million USD toward fostering small businesses and entrepreneurship, regional tourism, private and public transport, social welfare, sport and recreation, and more.
This five-year plan will disburse nearly 850 million USD to Druze and Circassian villages in Galilee and northern Israel between 2025 and 2029. It has already received accolades and approval from the leaders of both communities.
Pray for the successful implementation of the Druze and Circassian community redevelopment plan of the Netanyahu Administration, and a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ among the members of both communities.
Read more at Jerusalem Post. Click here.