Annual 'Race for the Druze Sons' Honors Fallen Druze Soldiers in Northern Israel

The annual national event commemorating fallen Druze soldiers, the "Race for the Druze Sons," will take place on Friday, September 18, 2026, near the Golani interchange in the Karnei Hittin area. Approximately 20,000 participants are expected to join this large demonstration of support and solidarity with the Druze community, which has lost many of its best fighters in Israel's wars. The race is organized by the "For the Sons" association in cooperation with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the Ministry of Defense, the Friends of the IDF in the United States (FIDF), and the Association for the Soldier, with the Lower Galilee Regional Council hosting the event.

This year's race pays tribute to IDF soldiers, reservists, and security forces who continue to defend Israel. It aims to honor the spirit of volunteerism, responsibility, and shared commitment that characterizes Israeli society. The event, produced by Kapa'im, a leading active lifestyle event company in Israel, will feature two running races (10 km and 5 km), a 25 km cycling race, and a 3 km popular walking route. Family activity zones will include spinning, ninja courses, traditional Druze food stalls, and a large public festival.

Participants will include citizens from all sectors, senior security officials, students, youth, families of fallen soldiers, police, emergency medical services, firefighters, current and former military personnel, and senior officers from various defense branches. The race precedes the completion of the "For the Sons Trail," a unique national project developed jointly by the Jewish National Fund (KKL) and the "For the Sons of the Druze" association. This 220 km trail connects Druze villages from the Carmel and Galilee regions, from Daliyat al-Karmel and Isfiya to the Nabi Shu'ayb shrine.

The trail is designed to tell the story of the Druze community, commemorate its fallen, and create a living space of heritage, nature, and partnership among all parts of Israeli society. It invites the public to explore the region, visit Druze villages, and learn about their culture and way of life. The project honors the memory of Druze who died in Israel's wars and celebrates the community's values and essential connections between past and present, life and land, and among different cultures.

Brigadier General (res.) Amal Assad, founder of the "For the Sons" project, called on the public to participate: "The bond between Druze and Jews is written not on paper but in the blood of 451 fallen and the lives of thousands of fighters who continue to defend Israel today. The race is more than a sporting event; it is a gathering of memory, appreciation, and hope, reminding us that our connection is built on shared fate, mutual responsibility, and belief in a common future."

Brigadier General (res.) Liron Donel, CEO of FIDF Israel, added: "The 'Race for the Sons' is not just a sports event but a living expression of the deepest values that unite us: memory, partnership, and mutual responsibility. The Druze community is an integral part of us and a true partner in defending the country, with its sons and daughters standing at the front lines even in these complex times. For us at FIDF, it is a sacred duty and honor to participate in this initiative that embraces bereaved families, honors the fallen, and salutes soldiers and reservists who bear the burden of protecting our home."