The relationship between the Jewish and Arab communities in This piece of land, bore different characteristics during the Mandate times, another during the War of Independence and yet another during the times of the Independent State of Israel .  

When I was already a Senior Officer I came upon the unique phenomenon of Arabs serving in the service of the Israeli Intelligence.

They performed very complicated and daring acts, that were, of course, financially recompensed.  During my years in the Intelligence Service I discovered that they can be divided into two groups. Those who did not serve as information suppliers for the  I.D.F. , but sincerely believed in the importance of correct relations between the two communities.  These were distinguished men in their own communities, many who knew and recognized the  “divide and rule” policy of the British Mandate here, and all over the Middle East , who like other Imperial powers used this tactic to enable them rule the area better.  They incited rifts, local skirmishes, and controversies.

The ‘rule” part of the equation stopped being relevant from the moment the countries of the region started gaining Independence .  But the principle of somebody staying out of a conflict and gaining by the result, remained.

Meetings with such Arab dignitaries were very interesting, and a small group of Intelligence Officers even toyed with the idea that they may bring peace in the area through such meetings.

There is no doubt that hopes and political reality did not exactly coincide in the case.  The reality was that these people were not influential enough politically, and that such negotiations cannot be conducted solely by the armed force.

Yet there were very interesting and charming nightly meetings, the fact that they were secret only added that.  Sitting in a wide-roomy house in the north Galile, surrounded by orchards, where all the roads leading to them were secured by members of th hosting family, only added to the charm.  Talk leisurely into the night, waiting for the cousin, who happened to have been an influential leader in a neighboring country.  The conversations themselves, not withstanding the ulterior motive, were so informative and so fantastic, that it was really hard to descend into the reality of day to day life after them.  But such nights produced very strong and unique personal ties between the participants, and will probably will serve  us well when peace finally comes.  

It was not always that such meetings took place under such ideal conditions.  There were nights when we set out in a boat on a stormy and dark sea , anchored opposite a hostile beach, waiting, for many hours, for our expected guests.  Such long waits had the danger of being discovered by a search light, followed by shots that usually result.  

I have always thought that the other side was the bolder, as we were in uniform and acting in the service of our country, while they endangered themselves and their families.  But as most such meetings were well planned and well organized, it was rare that we encountered any problems at all, but on two occasions both sides suffered casualties.  Nothing is written on their tombstones as yet.  Let’s hope that one day it will be revealed.  

The Druze community was very loyal to the State of Israel since after the War of Independence.  They and Tcherkessy Community serve in the I.D.F. until this very day.  

During the first years of Israel , special relations developed between the Intelligence Community and a certain, very dignified, Druze family, that has branches  in many countries around us, but at the head stood an Israeli old man.  We had free access to their house in the Galile whenever we were in the north, and on each visit we would come out richer in experience and knowledge.  He was a very wise old man.

We became especially friendly with a certain young member of the family, and whenever we came he would accompany us.  

One day we planned a special and very bold Intelligence Action in one of the enemy countries. The plan was designed around the young man.  We asked the permission of the old man, and it was given.  The young Druze set out on his mission, and after few months of hard work, which bore many important fruits of sensitive information, very important to us in those days.  The young man, in his enthusiasm to succeed, overstepped the rules of security several times.  We were worried about him, we even chided him, and warned him ro rake more care and adhere to the rules of securtiy of a foreign agent in a hostile country.  We ordered him to meet us in a secret place near the border, to personally explain again the severity and danger of what he was doing.  We would congratulate him on his achievements at the same time.  He was such a pleasant young man.  He effused human warmth and empathy with all.  And we, two Senior Israeli Officers, could no resist lauding his devotion and patriotism.  

It was hard to part from him each time, as we knew that each additional day on enemy territory endangered him more and more.  This is the essence of Intelligence work.

We were in the north a few days later, and  thought of dropping in on  the old man.  We were anxious to tell him that we had seen the boy, and he is well and very successful, but as it was already very late we didn’t.  God takes care of the fools, as the very next day we got a secret message telling us that the boy was arrested and taken in for interrogation by their infamous Secret Service.  We took all the available steps to ensure that he was better treated, but it didn’t succeed.  It took us a week before we went up to see the Old man and tell him what had happened.

The fact that it was the early morning was enough to frighten the family, and create the atmosphere that it was not just another visit.  But ceremonial steps were still kept. The strong Coffee small cups were strill passed around, accompanied by sweetmeats, freshly baked.  

In addition to his three suns, the old man had four daughters, the youngest was still to be married.  The girl was pretty, and like her brother spread a lot of positive atmosphere around her. She left us alone with the old man. We told him everything we could tell.  We saw the excitement in his face, but he didn’t much except asking two practical questions.  We left him alone in his room so he could overcome his feelings without losing face.

As we turned to leave, he got up put his hands around each of us and said:  “ you’ll be sons, until my son comes back.  As sons you are expected to stay with me in the good and the bad.  If I feel like crying, I want you next to me.  I know that as long as my son is still alive you will do everything in your power to bring him back. This is the duty of brothers.”

Then we left.  Both of us were seasoned field officers, two wars and reprisal action, and we stopped crying long before, but on this occasion, as we looked at each other, we knew that if we didn’t feel shame, we would find a way to unburden our sorrow.  

We dealt with this matter for almost a year.  No means, financial or others, were spared.  We would visit the old man once a month, and again informing him on as much as we could.  It felt so good to be with him.  He always gave us the feeling that he relies on us and is confident that whatever we are doing was the right thing to do.  The youngest daughter always served the refreshments.  As beautiful and as proud as always, and was quite ripe for a wedding. As if reading our thoughts the old man suddenly said: “you know, we have the custom, that if a brother is missing, and cannot attend the wedding, there is no wedding”.  This was information, not pressure.  

A year to the day the boy was taken, our efforts  came to fruitation.  Our superiors also felt the importance of such a situation, and we got all the backing we needed.

We came to the frontier post to receive the young man, and brought him home into the arms of his father.  Our happiness at this success only echoed the happiness of the family.  That night the date for the sister’s wedding was fixed.  We came to the wedding as invited, and were received like family.

The Druze kitchen is similar to the  regular Arab food only a little more delicate in its dough, and the varieties of the fillings.  Even today we still remember that happy wedding.