TARIF, AMIN (c. 1898–1993), Druze leader. Tarif was the spiritual leader of the Druze community in Israel and the president of its High Court. He was born in Julis, a Druze village in the Galilee, and became a sheikh in 1928 after his father's death. He became head of the Druze community after the *War of Independence, head of the Druze religious council in 1957, and head of the Druze court of appeals in 1963. He was an outstanding spiritual leader and a fine personal example for his community and Israeli society at large. He was awarded the Israel Prize in 1990 for his special contribution to national and social life.

Sources: Encyclopaedia Judaica. © 2007 The Gale Group. All Rights Reserved.

Amin Tarif