On Aug. 31, the eve of Eid al-Adha, the Muslim Feast of the Sacrifice, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent holiday greetings through social media to Israel’s Druze population, which practices a monotheist Abrahamic religion based on teachings of major Muslim figures and therefore observes some Islamic holy days: “This festival, in which members of the Druze community visit their friends and relatives, pray for peace and brotherhood, and extend a helping hand to one another, reminds me of our own Jewish holidays. This is not surprising, as we share the same values. The Druze and Jews both sanctify life, are proud of their unique heritage and religion, and both are brave warriors who protect their country, the State of Israel.”
Knesset member Ahmad Tibi, from the predominantly Arab Joint List, responded immediately, tweeting, “Netanyahu forgot that there are Muslim Israelis and that the Eid is also a major holiday for the Muslims. Bibi, you are making mistakes in droves.” Tibi's last sentence alludes to the prime minister’s unfortunate warning to right-wing voters on election day in 2015 that Israeli Arabs were “coming out in droves to the polls.”
