The controversy surrounding the recently passed nation-state law has reached the Israel Defense Forces, prompting the chief of staff to urge soldiers and officers to "keep politics out of the army."
Though largely symbolic, the contentious legislation, which states that "Israel is the historic homeland of the Jewish people and they have an exclusive right to national self-determination in it," has been lambasted by Arab lawmakers and non-Jewish Israeli citizens as "racist."
The Druze – a unique religious and ethnic minority among Israeli Arabs, who serve in the IDF and hold key positions in Israeli politics and public service – were particularly offended by the law, which community leaders labeled as an "extreme act of discrimination" against the country's minorities.
Two Druze officers resigned from the IDF this week over the new law, saying they could not serve in the military of a state whose laws label them "second-class citizens."
A third Druze officer, Capt. Amir Jamal, wrote an open letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decrying the law and calling to end the conscription of Druze men.
Defying a military directive banning officers from publicly expressing political views, Jamal posted the letter on Facebook. He faced disciplinary action on Tuesday and was suspended for 14 days.
Jamal's post reflected the growing call within the Druze community for young people not to enlist in the IDF and for those already serving to quit.
On Tuesday, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eizenkot discussed the matter with the Druze community's spiritual leader, Sheik Mowafaq Tarif.
"As the nation's military, whose purpose is to keep the Israeli public safe and win its wars, we are committed to preserving human dignity, regardless of race, religion or gender," Eizenkot said in a statement.
"This is how it has always been and this is how it will always be. We have the obligation to keep controversial political issues out of the military.
"We pledge that our shared responsibility and camaraderie with our Druze and Bedouin brethren and other minority members serving in the IDF will continue to lead our way."
Tarif issued a separate statement saying, "I absolutely agree with the chief of staff and ask that we leave all controversial political and public issues, including the nation-state law, out of the army.
"I call on all Druze soldiers and officers currently in service to trust us. We will fight for you. We have no dispute with the IDF. You are loyal soldiers and commanders and I trust that you will know how to keep yourselves and the IDF out of the public debate."
Also on Tuesday, the Meretz party filed a High Court of Justice petition against the nation-state law, saying it is unconstitutional and contradicts the principle of equality, and should be repealed.
