Druze brothers leading IDF battle against coronavirus in Arab sector
Arab Israelis concerned over rise of infected cases
Two Druze brothers from Daliat al-Carmel in the Haifa District are spearheading the IDF’s battle against the coronavirus pandemic in the Arab sector.
Col. (res.) Saleem Wahaby, 63, is serving as the IDF Home Front Command’s directives instructor for the Arab sector, while his brother, Maj. (res.) Zohar, 55, has been appointed as commander of the liaison unit to the Zemer Local Council in the Triangle Area.
Saleem, who served in the IDF for 44 years, was injured during his service as an officer in the 2006 Lebanon War.
Zohar served for 37 years and fought in the all-Druze Herev (Sword) Battalion infantry unit. He trained as an officer during his reserve service.
Their father, Fahim, was one of the founders of the Israel Police, making it obvious that affinity for military and civil service has passed through the Wahaby family.
The IDF’s liaison units consist of reservists whose job is to maintain continuous contact between the Home Front Command and local authorities.
The commander of each unit takes a significant part in preparing the authority for emergency situations. In addition, the commander plays an active role in discussions and drills with representatives of the local authorities.
The commander is also close to the head of the local authority and mediates between the authority’s needs and the response that the Home Front Command can provide.
Saleem established the liaison unit in 2006, shortly after the Lebanon War.
“I established the unit as part of the lessons learned from the Second Lebanon War, when we understood the need to strengthen ties and trust between the [Arab] sector and the Home Front Command,” he said. “The importance of this relationship is huge, and it’s significant in times of emergency.”
Zohar said he became interested in Saleem’s activities after noticing the hard work his brother was doing.
“I became very interested in the work Saleem was doing when he established the liaison unit to the [Arab] sector,” Zohar added. “I asked to join, and I’m proud to be part of the unit.”
Since assuming his job as directives instructor for the Arab sector, Saleem has recruited an additional 12 unit commanders. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, he has been coordinating all the instructional training sessions for the Arab sector. Today, Saleem remarked, he feels proud as he watches from the side the work the unit he set up is doing.
“Our success is reflected in the cooperation of the sector, its willingness to work with the Home Front Command, and its awareness towards the issue of preparedness for emergencies,” Saleem said.
Zohar said he totally agreed with his brother.
“Indeed, this is a sensitive and dangerous situation, and we need to implement all what we learned together with the local authority,” he explained. “When I see what we’re doing, I feel I’m reaping the fruits of the effort to prepare the authorities for emergency situations. That’s real pride!”