"Dear Brethren,
I would like to greet Israel's Druze citizens, led by Sheikh Muafakh Tarif, on the occasion of the Nabi Shueib festival.
  
The Druze in Israel (http://tinyurl.com/6z9g5) take part in all aspects of life and serve as an example of cooperation, mutual respect and increasing admiration between the State's Jewish and Druze populations.

Many have spoken of, and written about, the blood covenant that has been forged in the land of the Jews and the Druze, a pact that also found expression this past summer during the fighting in the north.  But I prefer rather to relate to the covenant of life, unity, responsibility and brotherhood between us.

Throughout the years since the beginning of the State, the relationship between the communities has strengthened, and acquaintances and cooperation have intensified.  However, large gaps still exist and significant needs must be addressed.

The State of Israel, together with the Druze representative in the Knesset, my friend Deputy Speaker Majalli Wahabee, has recently been engaged in working to advance issues associated with the Druze community, to decrease the gaps and to answer various needs.

This past summer, the Government decided to allocate NIS 447 million for development in the Druze and Circassian communities in 2006-2009.  The plan is centered on substantial investment in education, community and structural advancement and rehabilitation, and job creation and employment in tourism and industry.

The Druze communities in the north are also incorporated in the Plan for Strengthening Haifa and the North (http://tinyurl.com/eeqwy), in the framework of which NIS 1 billion will be allocated to minority sectors.  This is in addition to February's decision to complete the development of NIS 400 million worth of sewage infrastructures (http://tinyurl.com/2afqk3).

This is an additional expression of our responsibility – these are not slogans, but rather deeds that contribute to the daily lives of many citizens.

To all our Druze brethren, those serving in the army and the security forces, residents of the Golan Heights, the Galilee and the Carmel, to community representatives, local authority  heads, spiritual leaders – led by Sheikh Muafakh Tarif, I extend holiday greetings and salutations."