Defense Minister Israel Katz has approved the entry of over a hundred Druze sheikhs from Syria into Israel to visit the Nabi Shu'ayb shrine near Tiberias, Walla learned on Thursday.
Nabi Shu'ayb was an ancient Medinite prophet, and the most revered prophet in the Druze faith. Because Shu'ayb is often identified as Jethro, Moses's father in law, the shrine is sometimes referred to as Jethro's Tomb in English.
Every year, the Druze carry out a pilgrimage to the holy site, where, according to Druze tradition, the Prophet Shu'ayb is buried.
Details of visit
According to the security decision, over a hundred Druze sheikhs will be able to arrive in Israel from Syria and will be housed in Israel for one night.
The decision to allow the entry of the sheikhs was first reported by Reuters on Wednesday, however Israel's foreign ministry chose not to confirm it.
The group is expected to meet Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif, spiritual leader of the Druze community in Israel, as well as other members of the community, and to visit the shrine.
In a similar vein, the defense minister has announced the entry of dozens of Syrian Druze workers into the Golan Heights in Israel, following requests from Israeli Druze.