CNN Indonesia
Monday, 04 Dec 2023 07:40 WIB
Israel’s motive for recruiting Arabs to join the IDF. (REUTERS/RONEN ZVULUN)
Jakarta, CNN Indonesia —
Israel is said to have a special motive for recruiting people Arab join the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Arab politicians in Israel consider that the registration of Arab citizens as Israeli troops is politically motivated. The IDF allegedly intends to divide Arab citizens in Israel.
Arab-Israeli member of the Knesset, Hanin Zoabie, claimed that Israel was targeting poor and jobless people to become soldiers.
“Ninety percent of Arabs serving in the Israeli army have no equality with Israelis. Israel does not need them to protect its security, this is a political issue, the first is divide and rule.” said Zoabie.
He said that so far the world community may have misunderstood what the Israeli army actually is. Most people believe that these defense forces were dominated by Jews.
The Haganah, Palmach, Lehi and Irgun organizations were indeed armed groups that originally existed during Israel’s independence. Israel’s first Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion decided to unite a single force with the formation of the IDF on May 26, 1948, as reported by Al Majalla.
However, the IDF developed not only to represent Jews. Today, the IDF represents all nations, namely Israeli Jews, Druze, Muslims, Arabs, Bedouins and Christians all brothers.
The Druze, an Arabic-speaking minority group, became the highest number of IDF enlistees in Israel because of the “Blood Covenant” in 1956. More than 80 percent of Druze men enlisted as IDF soldiers.
Many Druze people join the IDF
The Druze tribe is designated by the Israeli government as an ethnic community separate from Palestinian Muslims and Christians in Israel. Arab citizens of Israel are called Israeli Arabs.
They are the descendants of 160,000 Palestinians who remained when Israel declared independence in 1948.
Arabs make up one-fifth of Israel’s non-Jewish population. Israeli law does not force Arab Muslims, Christians, or Bedouins to register as IDF troops.
However, in recent years, the number of Israeli Arab men and women enlisting in the IDF has increased drastically.
“It is an honor, holding an assault rifle in one hand and a Koran in the other, to defend my homeland, Israel” said Sergeant Emad, a young Arab Israeli.
Ashraf Ashkar, a 35-year-old Israeli Arab, also said that his friends served in the IDF in the area that was hit by Hamas on October 7.
“I talk to them all the time, I have a friend, an Arab, who joined the reserves last week,” said Ashkar, quoted by CNN.
Israeli President’s response to Arabs in the IDF
Israeli President Izaac Herzog expressed pride and respect for those who want to register as IDF troops.
Some Israeli Arabs feel a sense of belonging and loyalty to Israel which is what motivates them to join the IDF.
“Because this is my homeland, I am part of this country and I want to contribute.” said Sergeant Sami Heib, a 20 year old man.
“The fact that I come from a minority group is probably the reason why the IDF treats me more preferentially, because they want me to feel welcome here,” he added.
A number of Israeli Arab officers also received the ‘Best Service Commendation’ award at last year’s Independence Day Ceremony.
“I was raised with Islamic values, and those values taught me that loyalty to the homeland is something sacred and an obligation. This is why I carry my weapon to defend Israel.” said Officer Anas Safedi.
IDF persuasion recruits Arabs
The IDF is said to be very adept at implementing its member recruitment strategy. One of the IDF’s missions is to recruit as many Arab citizens of Israel as possible.
The Covid-19 pandemic played an important role for the IDF in attracting the hearts of the Arab community in Israel.
“During the pandemic, IDF soldiers were deployed to deliver food and medicine to the elderly and sick. They took part in coronavirus awareness campaigns and later helped set up vaccine centers and so on. The IDF’s efforts were highly appreciated by Muslims living in villages and towns. You could say the fear factor has disappeared, because people can see with their own eyes how tirelessly the IDF works to protect the entire population of Israel.” said a senior IDF official.
“Times have changed, the younger generation of Israeli Arabs are more aware of what the IDF is and what it can offer them in terms of career opportunities in the armed forces or further education post-army life. People want to join the army to improve their situation and in at the same time they want to contribute and strengthen the security of their country, Israel.” said a senior IDF official from the Employment Directorate.
The IDF continues to carry out large-scale troop recruitment efforts by distributing invitations to Muslim youth in Israel through various social media platforms.
(cpa/bac)
2023-12-04 00:40:20
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