Hurfeish: Azerbaijani journalists participating in a media tour in Israel visited the Druze town of Hurfeish, located in the Upper Galilee mountains in the north of the country, APA's correspondent dispatched to Israel reports. As part of the visit, the journalists met with Sheikh Dr. Kasem Bader, a representative of the Druze community in Israel and Chairman of the Universal Peace Council Human Rights Organization.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, during the meeting, Sheikh Kasem Bader provided information about the situation of Druze communities living in Israel and other countries in the region, the challenges they face, and relations between the communities. He explained that Druze people reside in Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Jordan, and due to the political situation and border restrictions, they have been deprived of opportunities to meet their family members and relatives.

Sheikh Bader highlighted that the closure of borders with Syria and Lebanon poses a serious obstacle to establishing ties between Druze communities. Although some opportunities have emerged following the peace agreement with Jordan, the ongoing situation in Syria and Lebanon still affects relations among the Druze. He further addressed the challenges faced by the Druze as a minority community in the Middle East, stressing the importance of peace and stability in the region for the future of the communities.

During the meeting, the journalists also gained insights into the history, culture, and religious traditions of the Druze, as well as their role in Israeli society. The Druze are an Arabic-speaking community with unique religious and cultural traditions, mainly residing in Israel, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan. They consider themselves a distinct religious community and preserve their beliefs within a closed community. In Israel, the Druze actively participate in the country's social and public life, including serving in the Israel Defense Forces.