Prime Minister Netanyahu Wishes Israel’s Druze and Muslim Citizens a Happy Eid al-Adha
“I would like to wish all of Israel’s Druze and Muslim citizens a Happy Eid al-Adha, a blessed Eid,” said Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu
“We are celebrating this important holiday at a time when we are trying to resume the negotiations for peace with our Palestinian neighbors and to advance peace agreements with the other Arab countries.
We are committed to the historic effort to bring about a genuine peace, coexistence, security and prosperity for all. Your support in this effort is very important and I greatly appreciate it.”
Happy holiday! Kul am v’antum b’khair!”
Eid al-Adha, literally meaning “Feast of the Sacrifice,” is an important religious holiday celebrated around the world to commemorate Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son, Ishmael (religious scholars continue to dispute whether the son offered by Abraham was Issac or Ishmael). According to the Qu’ran, God intervened, placing a ram instead. So, on this day in Israel, Druze and Muslims ceremonially sacrifice a type of cattle approved by Sharia law (usually sheep) and distribute the meat.
Israel’s Druze minority number over 100,000 and Israel’s Muslim population is 1.2 million, or about 20 percent of Israeli citizenry.
