Sheikh Muwaffak Tarīf, spiritual leader of the Druze community, has been chosen to light a torch at the Independence Eve ceremony on Mount Herzl.
Druze Minister of Communications Ayoub Kara has expressed pride at the selection, saying, "Sheikh Tarif undoubtedly represents the bridge between the Druze community and the people of Israel, the 'blood pact' that connects us from the time of Moses and [Druze prophet] Jethro, which is stronger than ever. There is no one more worthy of this sublime honor."