Druze in the Jewish communities during the British Mandate in Palestine 1918-1948

Abstract

The Druze lived in northern Palestine in isolated poor villages close to the

Jewish communities. This gave rise to the relationship between Druze workers

and these communities. As the Jews bought Druze livestock and agricultural

products, the Druze naturally felt the usefulness of the Jewish communities to

them. Until 1936, there was no decision from the Druze community sheikhs to

develop this relationship, and so it remained confined to some individuals and

families. However, the outbreak of the great Palestinian revolution (1936 –

1939) which caused harassment to some Druze villages resulted in a greater

cooperation between the Druze and the Jews under the banner of the Druze-

Jewish alliance. This alliance was represented in 1948 through coordination

in the battlefield and volunteering to fight side by side with the Jewish troops

within what is known as the minority unit. However, this does not mean that

the whole Druze community was involved in the Jewish- Druze co- operation.

A number of the Druze fought alongside the Arab forces, whereas others

stood on the fence.