Israel to get first acting Druze president

Israel will appoint its first acting Druze president this week, to replace incumbent Dalia Itzik who leaves for a week-long visit to the United States, the Yediot Ahronot daily reported Sunday.

Majali Wahabe, from the ruling Kadima party, will also serve as Acting Knesset Speaker during Itzik's absence, which begins on Tuesday.

Under Israeli law, the Knesset speaker becomes acting president, if the incumbent is absent. Itzik took up the post in late January after Moshe Katsav took leave of absence following the attorney-
general's recommendation to indict him for a sex scandal.

Israeli legislative custom dictates that a legislator from the ruling party serve as acting speaker when the incumbent is abroad. Wahabe, 53, serving his second term in the Knesset, is the only Kadima legislator among the seven Deputy Knesset Speakers.

The Druze, a breakaway sect from Islam whose religious system is kept secret form the outside world, are to be found mainly in Lebanon, Syria, Israel and Jordan.


http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/34131.html

But to be honest, I don't care what he is. My expectations at this point are extremely low for Israeli politicians. Really, if he can even just manage to not rape anyone I'll chalk it up as a win.

I think a few years ago there was a Druze in charge of Israeli home defense as well.