Month: June 2020

Israel is a country with many minorities and ethnic groups. One very interesting and prominent group are the Druze.
A branch off Islam, the Druze today are recognized as a separate and independent religious ethnic Arab group. They are settled in several villages, mainly in the north of the country, and are renowned for their hospitality and excellent cuisine.
 

 
A monotheistic religion, their major prophet is biblical Jethro, a Midianite priest and father-in-law to Moses, and his tomb in Israel near Tiberias is their holiest site.
The Druze have adopted the State of Israel as their country, establishing a Druze battalion as part of the IDF, which has, however been disbanded, as the Druze soldiers are now integrated into all of the various IDF corps, serving in elite combat units, and even as fighter pilots.
A peace-loving religion, in which men and women are equals, they are a dignified and cultured people, and are happy to share their heritage and history with others. They pledge loyalty to their host country, and are therefore dedicated to the State of Israel,
The Druze villages are situated mainly in the north of the country, stretching from the Haifa and Mt. Carmel region to the far Upper Galilee. Many of the villages have restaurants that sell traditional Druze cuisine, and markets that sell colorful wares and spices.
They traditionally produce olive oil and labane (a sour white cheese) which are served on special flat breads known as pita, and throughout the Galilee, as well as in all open air markets, one can find booths selling these wares to visitors and picnickers.
 

 
The Druze villages of Daliat–el –Carmel and Ussfia, are situated on Mt. Carmel, very near to Horn of Carmel, where according to the bible, Elijah the prophet vanquished the false prophets of Baal, and where today there is a Carmelite monastery. A visit to the open air market and main street shops is well worthwhile.
In the Upper Galilee the Druze villages include Yarka, which dates back to the pre-Christian era, as does Hurfesh, which during the Crusader period, belonged to the Teutonic Knights. Other villages include Rameh, Jat, Julis and more – all in the Upper Eat and West Galilee regions.
There are also several Druze villages on the Golan Heights, which were under Syrian rule before the Six Day War. True to their loyal nature and beliefs, the residents of these village still align with Syria, retaining status of permanent resident rather than citizenship, to Israel and so, unlike the Israeli Druze, they do not serve in the army.
 

 
We recommend that on your coming visit, you take part in a home experience with a Druze family, where you will enjoy a traditional meal and learn of the Druze religion and heritage.
Enriching and unforgettable.

Let’s go on a tour that combines ancient and modern history with fun for the family. Strategically positioned on a hill in the Ayalon valley, overlooking the road to Jerusalem, is Latrun, which due to its prominence in the landscape, has been the scene of many battles, ancient and modern.
 

 
Deriving its name from the Crusader fortress, “La Toron des Chevaliers”, remnants of which can be found to this day, or perhaps from its Christian namesake “Domus boni latronis” in reference to the thief hung by the Romans next to Jesus, it also known as site of the ancient Battle of Emmaus, fought by Judah the Maccabee in which he vanquished the invading Greek army, as well as the site of bloody battles fought and lost more recently, during the War of Independence in 1948.
Emmaus became a Christian holy site, reputed to be where Jesus appeared to some of his disciples after his resurrection, and excavations carried out in the area have uncovered, among others, the remains of a 6th century basilica and a Crusader church.
 

 
In the late nineteenth century, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem requested a monastery be established at Latrun. Some Trappist monks of French, German and Belgian origin, purchased land with a building, and founded Our Lady of the Sorrows, which they still inhabit. Assisted by Baron de Rothschild and the Carmel Mizrahi Winery, the monks established a vineyard and winery, which has become renowned for its wines that are sold at the monastery shop.
From 1948 to 1967 Latrun was a salient occupied by the Jordanian Legionnaires, with vantage points overlooking the valley, such as the Tegart Fort established by the British during the Palestinian mandate, from which snipers would target the road to Jerusalem, forcing the construction of a bypass route through Beit Shemesh.
 

 
After being liberated in 1967, the Tegart Fort became a museum and memorial for the IDF armored corps. The tanks on display are a favorite with children and adults alike, and climbing aboard is permitted and from there you can make your way to the nearby Mini-Israel Park which houses miniature replicas of all the important landmarks and buildings in Israel.
Latrun today is part of the Canada Park nature reserve, which is a wonderful place for picnics and having fun, as well as being home to archeological findings, dating back to biblical times.
 

 
All in all – an outing with a difference we will be happy to include on your next visit.