When people think about Israel’s diversity, the Druze community isn’t always the first that comes to mind. And yet, the Druze — about 140,000 citizens in Israel — are a vital thread in the country’s fabric. They serve in the army at some of the highest rates, live mainly in the Galilee and Carmel regions, and hold a faith that’s at once ancient, private, and deeply philosophical. You can’t convert to it, and its beliefs — like reincarnation and the unity of all existence — have been passed down quietly for nearly a thousand years.
My guest this week, Gadeer Kamal-Mreeh, embodies so much of that mix of tradition and change. She’s the first Druze woman to anchor the news in both Hebrew and Arabic, the first Druze woman in the Knesset, and later, the first non-Jewish Israeli to serve as a senior emissary for the Jewish Agency. Her story is about breaking barriers — but also about staying rooted.
We talked about what loyalty means to a community that doesn’t seek its own homeland, how Druze identity and Israeli identity intertwine, and how women in her society are finding new ways to lead. Gadeer also shared how she’s using her voice now — especially after October 7th — to rebuild trust, speak to audiences in Arabic and English around the world, and show the many faces of what it means to be Israeli.
This episode isn’t just about one remarkable woman; it’s about a people who see faith as quiet strength, and belonging as an act of choice.
Next time, I’m sitting down with Assaf Gil, the mind behind Hatunami and MasterChef, to talk about how reality TV became one of Israel’s favorite mirrors — and what it says about who we are off-screen.
