An Israeli Arab Muslim wants to join the IAF.
Exclusive: An 18-year-old youth from northern Israel is an outstanding student who completed his high school diploma with top grades. He is also a gifted civilian pilot. His dream is to become a pilot in the Israeli air force, but one thing may stand in his way: He is an Arab Muslim.
[…] As Michael noted, his young student is bound to face the question of where his loyalties lie.
“I sincerely told him that there is the problem of loyalty. I told him that it would be hard to send an Arab to bombard other Arabs, whether in Gaza or in Lebanon,” Michael said.
“But he said, ‘I belong to the state of Israel, just try me and you’ll see. I live in this country, and am willing to do what is required of me,'” Michael recalled.
The youth explained in his letter that his wish to enlist stems from true patriotism to the state.
“Although I am not obligated to join the IDF… I want to serve like any other citizen in the country. I was raised on the values of loving Israel, and the moral commitment to contribute to the state,” he wrote.
All I can say is: I’m glad I’m not the one who had to make this decision. I’m still looking at the treasonous acts of the Arab Israeli Members of the Knesset.
I would err on the side of caution, frankly. Sorry. There is far too much damage the kid could do if he’s a mole.
True—but think of the damage that will be done if he is turned away. Every Arab in Israel will have it confirmed that he is not a real Israeli and can never be one; every Arab and every Israel-hater elsewhere will have an unbeatable argument for Israeli racism.
I’m reluctant to talk of the need to take dangerous chances when I don’t live in Israel, but Israelis already have courage in spades—including the courage to take vital risks. This sounds like one more time they need to show it. The good that may come from embracing Israeli Arabs who choose really to be Israelis is worth the risk.
Not everyone is an Azmi Bishara, but you can make more or fewer like him, depending on how you treat people.
Arab Israelis are not required to serve in the Israeli army. It’s already established that the Israelis aren’t willing to train a fifth column.
Sure, the kid may be an exception–but again, I’m glad I don’t have to make this decision.
If the young man was truly an Israeli patriot, he would understand that he could better serve Israel in other ways – like being a diplomat – or serving in the knesset.
Even the US transferred Japanese Americans to fight in the European Theatre so that they would not fight their nationalistic brothers in Japan during World War II. It may not have been necessary, but it is good to err on the side of caution.
Being that he is a muslim, and that group of people tend to be hostile to the Jewish ‘entity’ in ‘Palestine’, I think it might be good to err on the side of caution and not have him work in the Israeli military.
IF this young man was a Israeli patriot, he would see the strategic salient that he is putting his homeland into and he would serve in another way – without bitterness or reproach.
I don’t know. What’s the situation with the Druze? When Israel was established the Druze community accepted citizenship and conscription. They had their own reserve battalion. This was despite the fact that the Druze furnished troops to the “Arab Liberation Army” under the vicious Fawzi Al-Kaukji during the War of Independence. Is this still the case?
Now the Druze might be a special case. They are a Shi’a offshoot and persecuted by the surrounding Sunnis. Their elders may have thought they would at least be no worse off under Jews than they were under Sunnis, and maybe better. With the rise of Sunni Islamism and the growing influence of Wahhabism they are probably MUCH better off living in a Jewish state than in a Sunni one. But there is precedent for Arabs serving in Zahal. Muslims are no worse than the Palestinian Christians as a security threat,in many ways, for the Christians have been among the most hostile to Israel.
In the end it is up to the Israelis, for they are the ones taking the risks. There would be value, I think, in showing Israeli Arabs that they are not going to be second class citizens. If he is an Israeli patriot, he will be much more impressive as a leader among his fellow Arabs later as a man who flew jet fighters and who was accepted by the Jews. Among some Arabs, no doubt, this will brand him a traitor. Among others I think it will bring into question the whole thrust of the “Kill the Jews” cult that corrodes Arab culture today.
Meryl, surely this is a situation that Shabak can deal with. Before this young man ever sets foot in an armed aircraft, they will have looked at every facet of his background. Further, I assume that not all IAF pilots drive fighters.
I know nothing about the IAF and little of the IDF, but I assume that each officer candidate’s background is thoroughly investigated prior to him receiving a commission.
Just a humourous sidenote – When I joined the Canadian armed forces way back in the 1950s, I was called in for an interview during my basic training. Apparently the RCMP had discovered that, a couple of years earlier, I’d joined Habonim. They wanted to know all about my reasons, and my experience in the group.
I explained that the guys who persuaded me to join had told me that it was a great place to meet some chicks. However, I’d quickly changed my mind, as all the members seemed to be concerned with making Aliya, and that wasn’t my cup of tea at the time.
The interview ended after many more questions, and I’m sure they checked out my answers thoroughly.
I think this guy is going to be gone over with a fine-toothed comb, before he ever gets his wings.