Mansur Ashkar, a Druze Israeli and former IDF officer, passionately advocates for the truth about life in Israel and the challenges faced by minorities in the Middle East. His narrative, rooted in personal experience and regional knowledge, highlights the systematic persecution of minority groups, particularly the Druze, and critiques the role of mainstream media and Western policies in perpetuating these issues. Below is a focused summary of his key arguments, consolidating his points for clarity and impact.
1. The Druze Identity and Contributions
Ashkar proudly identifies as a Druze, part of a small religious community of roughly one million worldwide, primarily in Syria, Lebanon, and Israel. He emphasizes the Druze's historical contributions, such as building Jordan's first army, aiding in the expulsion of French colonial forces from Syria, and providing shelter to Syrians during the Assad regime. In Israel, Ashkar notes, the Druze are uniquely free to practice their faith openly, unlike in many Arab countries where they often conceal their identity to avoid persecution.
2. Ethnic Cleansing of Minorities in the Middle East
Ashkar asserts that radical Islamic groups are attempting to exterminate non-Muslim minorities across the Middle East, including Christians, Yazidis, Alawites, Druze, Jews, Armenians, and Kurds. He describes atrocities in Syria, particularly against the Druze in areas like Jaramana, where Muslim influxes led to violence, including massacres, rapes, and the destruction of villages. He cites specific examples, such as the rape of an 81-year-old Druze woman and the desecration of religious symbols, to illustrate the use of violence as a tool of humiliation and control.
3. The Role of Radical Islam and Sharia Law
Ashkar argues that radical Islam, particularly Salafi interpretations, drives these atrocities. He explains that when Muslims become a majority in an area, they often impose Sharia law, which relegates minorities to inferior status, disarms them, and restricts their rights. He references Afghanistan's Taliban as an example of escalating extremism, where women face increasingly severe restrictions. In Syria, under leaders like Abu Mohammad al-Julani, Ashkar claims Salafi Sharia is being enforced, with minorities forced to surrender weapons or face death.
4. Media and Western Complicity
A central theme in Ashkar's narrative is the mainstream media's failure to report these atrocities accurately, instead acting as a "PR agent" for radical Islamists. He coins the phrase "no Jews, no news" to critique the media's selective focus, which he extends to "no anything that makes Islam bad, no news." Ashkar accuses Western politicians and media of whitewashing terrorists like al-Julani, a former ISIS and Al-Qaeda commander, by rebranding them as legitimate leaders. He questions why Western nations, particularly Europe, ignore the plight of Middle Eastern minorities while engaging with regimes that sponsor terrorism.
5. The Nakba Narrative and Historical Distortion
Ashkar challenges the narrative of the Palestinian Nakba, arguing it was constructed to portray Jews as colonizers while ignoring Arab attempts to annihilate Jews in 1948. He draws parallels to Syria, where he claims a similar "Nakba" narrative is being crafted in real-time to vilify the Druze while they are massacred. He accuses radical Islamists of playing the victim immediately after committing atrocities, a tactic he says is amplified by media support.
6. Israel's Role and the Need for Western Action
Ashkar praises Israel as the only regional power actively protecting minorities, citing its military interventions against Syrian forces targeting the Druze. He urges Western nations to emulate Israel's commitment by supporting Middle Eastern minorities like the Druze and Christians, who he describes as loyal, hardworking, and non-violent contributors to society. He warns that unchecked radical Islam threatens global stability, drawing comparisons to historical failures to confront Nazism.
7. The Path Forward
To address these issues, Ashkar calls for accountability in Western education systems, academia, and media, which he believes promote anti-Semitism and obscure the truth. He advocates for governments to enforce laws against radical ideologies and to prioritize alliances with moderate, stable communities like the Druze. Without such action, he warns, the West risks moral and cultural decline, leaving minorities vulnerable to further persecution.
Conclusion
Mansur Ashkar's testimony is a clarion call to recognize the systematic ethnic cleansing of minorities in the Middle East and the complicity of global institutions in obscuring these truths. By sharing his perspective as a Druze Israeli, he seeks to educate the world about the realities of radical Islam's impact and the urgent need for principled intervention. His message is clear: only by confronting these challenges head-on can we hope to protect vulnerable communities and uphold universal values of justice and coexistence.
Links
Mansor Ashkar
https://www.youtube.com/@MrSachback
Druze Advocacy Site
Sweida-massacre.com
Google Drive
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ntw9nIQ4w5OANBEfi9fH2a1kJ0rfPmZ3
#SaveTheDruze community on Spark
https://www.sparkstudio.app/invite/--HJoQu
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