ISRAEL
Arab soldiers on guard for Israel
February 3, 2013 · 0 Comments
Zionism – more than religion, it belongs to the Jewish state
In the the Israeli army, as well as in intelligence and counterintelligence agencies, along with Jews have always been serving people of other nationalities. In recent years in the IDF (the Hebrew acronym for “CVA Hagana le-Yisrael” – “IDF”), not to few Arabs are volunteering. And not only Christians but also Muslims.
CHOICE OF SAID HAZEKA
In response to the endless rocket and mortar attacks from the Gaza Strip, Israel launched a military operation “pillar of cloud”, thousands of Israeli reservists received a notice of an urgent appeal. Among those who arrived immediately at the disposal of its units was Said was Hazek, an Israeli Arab Muslim, an IDF officer.
His fate is not quite normal. He was born in southern Lebanon in the Sunni Muslim family. After the defeat by the royal Jordanian army of the Palestinian militants led by Yasser Arafat, many quite surviving warriors found shelter in Lebanon. There, in the south, many Palestinians did racketeering and kidnappings. It is clear that this behavior could not please the locals. In Beirut, torn by confessional and political contradictions no action against the criminal guest were taken. Christian militia, led by Pierre Gemayel, was powerless against the combined forces of Palestinian militants and local Muslim and leftist extremists. Pierre Gemayel, who was elected in August 1982 as the President of Lebanon, was not able to take office – he was killed when militants blew up his headquarters. Along with him were killed 26 people. Maya, the daughter of Pierre Gemayel, was killed in a terrorist attack directed against her father in 1980.
Lebanese living in the south, knowing that they can count only on themselves, have created their own armed militia. Prior to 1980 it was known as “the free Lebanese Forces”, and in 1980 changed its name to Tsada (from the Hebrew acronym for “CVA Drome Levanon” – the South Lebanon Army, the Arabic name “Lubna Al Jaish Janubi”). The first commander of the Lebanese of the regular army “Tsada” became Major Saad Haddad, who belonged to the Greek Catholic faith. After his death from leukemia January 14, 1984 Tsada was headed by Major General Antoine Lahad. It should be recognized that most solders were Lebanese Christian Arabs. But to the “Tsada”, the South Lebanon Army, an outspoken ally of Israel, many Muslims joined as well. Both Sunni and Shia.
Tsada, which controlled 10% of the Lebanese territory with a population of 110 thousand people, had about three thousand men. As part of Tsada were five infantry battalions, four tank companies, four artillery brigades and a security service and police.
In 2000, Israel, following the decision of the UN Security Council number 42, withdrew its troops from southern Lebanon. After the Israelis left Lebanon the majority of Tsada servicemen and members of their families moved to Israel. Soldiers and officers of the South Lebanon Army, who stayed for one or another reason in Lebanon have been killed by militant “Hezbollah”, the Lebanese Shiite terrorist organization.
Said Hazek, who’s family had moved to the Jewish state, explained his desire to serve in the IDF: “For me the Islamist of all stripes are enemies, because they are murderers who betrayed Islam. Israel has long left the former occupied Gaza, but Hamas and other militants shelled residential areas of the Jewish state, because they are hungry to shed blood. “
Safa, wife of Said’s worked in southern Lebanon at the local radio station “Sawt al-Amal” (“The Voice of Hope”). She completely solidarizes with her husband. Safa believes that fighting for Israel the Arabs would bring liberation of their country from extremist usurpers of power.
Before recreating of Israel in 1948, in the “Haganah” (in Hebrew “defense”, an underground Jewish military organization that opposed the British colonialists and Arab thugs), volunteered thousands of members of Druze community. Druze are Arabic-speaking people. Their religious beliefs are near the Shiite branch of Islam.
After the establishing of Jewish independence Druze soldiers have become an integral part of the IDF. Many Druzes were promoted to the rank officers and generals.
One can not help noticing that 95% of local Circassians serve in the IDF, especially in intelligence and counterintelligence agencies. Druze and Circassian youth from the mid 50’s drafted into the army along with the Jews.
On a voluntary basis to serve in the Israeli army sign up as well local Bedouins. Ethnically the Bedouins are the same as the Muslim Arabs, but are still leading a nomadic way of life. However, they do not identify themselves with the Arabs and for the most part are quite loyal to the Zionist state.
It is interesting to note that over 60% of all non-Jews in the IDF are just Bedouins. They represent the majority of such elite units as Shaked (in Hebrew, “almond”, the Hebrew acronym for “Cavalry Shomrey a-gift” – “Guardians of the southern borders”) and Gadsar (“Gdud siyur Midbar” – “Battalion patrol the desert” ).
Of IDF’s minorities almost 20% are Christian Arabs. Muslim Arabs today are less than 15%. But in recent years among the Arab youth is a steady desire to join the ranks of the defenders of Israel.
Not all Arabs, who had put on the form of the Israeli soldiers have Zionist motivation. It is fact that without military service there can not be a full public and professional career. Of course, young people from wealthy families can renounce funds allocated by law to support demobilized soldiers of both sexes for schooling, apartment, opening a business.
One can even ignore the fact that the Israelis which do not serve in the army can not enter the public service. In the end, you can find a job in a private enterprise.
But what about public opinion? After all, it can not be bought! Citizens who skip the army in Israel are being looked at some what askance.
IDF Major Yusuf Ahmed, Druze origin and a psychologist by profession, in an interview with “IMR” explains statistical increase in the desire of Arab youth to serve in military or in alternative service “in order to become a full part of the community and to enjoy all the privileges of demobilized Israelis”. Continuing his thought, Major Ahmedi says the following: “No doubt, some of the local young people are tired of endless anti-Israel romp of their older fellows who never the less are happily enjoying all the benefits of a Jewish state.
IN THE ARMY BIASES END
But it is wrong to assume that among the Arab IDF soldiers there are no overt Zionists. For example, these includes Lieutenant Yasser Abu Salah of Nazareth.
In an interview with “IMR” the officer explains his position as follows: “In the world there are 22 Arab states. Palestinian Arabs want to create 23rd. And the world is toward this goal quite supportive. But for Jews the Arab world as a whole denies the right to have a homeland.
No Palestinian leader does want to recognize Israel as a Jewish state. In no Arab state are there Jewish parliamentarians, but dozens of Arabs have a seat in Israel – Knesset.
There are also Arab ministers. “In the conversation with me lieutenant Abu Salah summarizes as follows: “I became a Zionist because they stand for justice.”
Most Israeli soldiers Muslim Arabs are living in Beersheva, Nazareth and the villages Deir el-Asad, Biina and Rheine. About one of them, Major Hisham Abu Varia, I had the opportunity to write in one of my articles. He is 30 years old. He is a Biina resident. His father, Khaled – is a building contractor by trade, and his mother Haniya – is housewife. They had 14 children. Hisham never forgets that it is through the help of the state of Israel that he, his brothers and sisters received a higher education in universities or colleges. One brother Hisham recently returned from Russia after completing his studies in medical school. Hisham is convinced that without the state of Israel his brothers and sisters could only dream of to get higher education.
In the family of Abu Varia the first IDF soldier was Doris’s older brother Hisham. “Doris was a model for me – says Hisham, – prejudice did not work on him, he truly loved Israel and hated terrorists hiding behind the banner of Islam.” IDF soldiers Doris Abu Varia was fatally shot in the head in the course of an operation against Palestinian terrorists. After the death of Doris, Hisham considered it to be his moral duty to stand in the ranks of the Israeli army, and thus replace his brother. Family members supported his decision. When Hisham accompanied the army, especially warm parting words expressed his uncle, an officer in the Israel Police.
Of course, not all Israeli Arabs experienced delight from the brothers Abu Varia who are IDF soldiers. Nevertheless, every year there is an increasing number of Arab Israeli citizens who wish to join the Israeli army. This is evidenced by the constant growth of Arab boys and girls in the IDF officers’ course. Elinor Joseph was the first Israeli Arab, who served in a combat battalion “Karakal”. “When I am being told , – he explains his position – that to serve in the Israeli army means helping the Jews to kill Arabs, I say, the Arabs also kill Arabs when they fire missiles and grenades on Israel. And in the end, I am defending my homeland. “
A resident of one of the Arab villages in northern Israel Shirin Shlial, after completing military service in the IDF, has signed a contract for its renewal. In the Israeli army are also serving her two brothers. Shirin admits that most of her fellow Arabs do regard the service in the IDF as negative. However, she believes that this situation is due to the lack of understanding of the situation in the world in general, and in the Middle East in particular. “Rampant anti-Israeli propaganda, often turning into anti-Christian hysteria, doing it’s dirty work”, – said Shirin to an Israeli television channel.
Annette Huskey, a resident of Arab town in northern Israel, writes in her article “The Arab community: ready for work and defense,” published in the Israeli English-language newspaper Jerusalem Post: «I was born in a Muslim family living in Acre. And more recently, I was the only representative of our community, to call for Arab young men and women to go to serve in the IDF. So, I have three children, all of them served in the Israeli army, which I am very proud of. ” The eldest son of Annette served in one of the elite units. Her junior is studying for officer training. Her daughter runs military training unit and is going to devote her life to the army.
“It’s time – writes Annette Huskies – to share the responsibility for what is happening with all citizens. Indeed, equality of rights means equality of responsibilities. ” Her call did not go in vain. In July of this year at the recruiting station in Beersheba, southern Israel’s capital, there was a 20% increase, and in October even 25% increase of young Arab of Muslim and Christian origin signing up than in comparison to the same months last year.
THE EXAMPLE of AMOS YARKON
He was a Zionist and doubtless the most famous Israeli military Arab Yarkon Amos (born Abd al-Majid Khader, 1925-1991), risen to the rank of colonel. He led one of the most secret special forces brigades, three times been awarded the highest military award of the country. Famous General Moshe Dayan (born Kitaigorodsky, born into a family of Russian immigrants, Israeli Defense Minister during the Six Day War), Amos called Yarkon pride IDF. So the Arab soldiers and officers of the Israeli army have someone to look up to.
Lieutenant Colonel Al Wahib – one of those equal to the Colonel Yarkon. He occupies one of the top positions in the operational unit training base of IDF. Wahib is the highest-ranking Arab-Muslim in the Israeli army. Explaining his position to the popular newspaper “Maariv”, he said: “From an early age I was told repeatedly that Israel has stolen Palestine from us, but when I was 14, I suddenly realized that the Jews were not so bad.” According to Lieutenant Colonel Wahiba, those Islamist and secular terrorists, who led most of the Palestinian organizations, should be considered not only the enemies of the Arabs and the Jews, but of all mankind.
Ale Wahiba 32 years. He is a native of the village of Rheine, in which most people do not recognize the right of the Jewish state to exist. Ale Wahiba was even entrusted to light one of the torches at the day of Israel’s independence.
Ala Wahib openly calls himself a Zionist. Several years ago in a continuing education program of IDF he and a group of Israeli military personnel toured the Nazi death camp in Poland. “In my childhood I was surrounded by people who deny the Holocaust – shared impressions after the journey Wahib – but after the presentation in Auschwitz I was shocked, I even cried.
I’m a devout Muslim, and never would give up my faith. But I believe that Zionism – is more than a religion. This is something that completely reflects my sense of belonging to the State of Israel, and the great commitment that I took in the defense and protection of the country of which I am. “
In October of this year, Christian Arabs, the Forum calls for Christian youth in the IDF, filed a complaint with the police at Nazareth Mayor Ramaz Dzharisa. This local politician, Dzharisa, expressed in an insulting manner his views about the Arab young men and women who choose to serve in the Israeli army. However, his call to his tribesmen not to be drafted into the IDF had rebounded. Only at the beginning of November this year the ranks of the IDF wanted to enter twice as many Israeli Arabs from his village than a year before.
A Prominent Israeli military and political leader, General Rafael Eitan (1929-2004, also known as Raful, real name Kaminsky was born to Russian citizens who came to Palestine in 1904), who was at one time in the post of IDF Chief of Staff, in a sense, was the patron Tsada.
He was on friendly terms with both Haddad and from Lahad. In the book, “The Tale of a Soldier”, from Ephrem Bauch, translated from Hebrew into Russian in 1991, he wrote that he considered to be his comrades all those fighting with weapons to confront the enemies of the Jewish state.
Eitan had no doubt that the day will come when much of the Arabs will realize the destructive path on which Muslim extremists are walking. He believed that in the ranks of the IDF they find their place, young Arab men and women. It seems that the anticipation of General Rafael Eitan came true.
http://nvo.ng.ru/wars/2012-12-14/12_israel.html
Translated from Russian
By myfuamerica
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