From Judy’s World…

One Brave Woman

For those of us who live outside of Israel in the Galut, in

the Diaspora, I feel we need to be reminded there are

Israeli Arabs who openly love and visibly support Israel.

There is a tendency by many of us to lump all Israeli

Arabs as Anti-Zionists and true enemies of Israel and its

people. At times, I, myself, am guilty of this thinking.

This is truly not the case.

A fine example of this is seen in a video I received

recently. Sarah Zoabi, speaking at the Israeli Knesset,

introduces herself to the members of the Knesset as a

“proud Israeli, Zionist, Arab, and Muslim.” Modestly

dressed, very similar to the dress of a married Jewish

Orthodox woman, her head is covered with a hat, Sarah

bravely expresses her love for Israel. She strongly

believes in the right of the Jewish people to have their

own country, the State of Israel. The Jewish people in

the past, she states, has suffered at the hand of

genocide and persecution and even today there are

those still interested in annihilating the Jewish state and

its people. Sarah tells her fellow Arabs to “Wake up! You live in a paradise.” A million Arabs live within the

Israeli borders and are not suffering like those Arabs under Arab rulers. In Israel, she points out there is

freedom of speech and freedom to choose your religion. Muslim, Druz and Christians benefit from conditions

and opportunities that other Arabs in other Arab countries are not offered. Israeli Arabs freely choose to

remain in Israel, Sarah emphasizes, in the “paradise” which they find here. The opportunities, in Israel, for

Israelis Arab do not exist elsewhere.

Sarah further advocates regardless of anyone’s religion, Israeli citizens must be Israelis first. She compares this

to a Jew and a Muslim who live in France; they are either a French Jew or a French Muslim. Only in Israel, Sarah

adds, can one find democracy and acceptance regardless of “race, religion or the color of skin.” She does admit

not everything is perfect. There is definitely room for improvement. “Perfect countries exist only in theory and

not in reality.”

For Sarah, the flag of Israel is her flag. The “Hatikvah” is the anthem of her country. Through the good times, all

the difficulties and challenges Israel faces, Israel is still her country and homeland. She demands all citizens to

be loyal to the State of Israel fulfill their national duty and serve in the army. This includes all minorities such as

“Druz, Bedouins, Christians and Muslims.” Sarah emphasizes you must perform your duties to be eligible to

receive benefits. Sarah does acknowledge the contributions of many of the minorities who have fought on

behalf of Israel now and in the past and especially those who have died while defending Israel.

(over)

From Judy’s World… She calls for unity among the Israeli citizens of all faiths. “We must end the bloodshed and calm everyone

down.” We should be united in our fight for a peaceful life together and refuse to allow the radicals “to take

over the situation.” Nor should we allow concessions, as this is a “green light,” a go ahead to incite further

attacks. Sarah tells the Knesset we should not permit the terrorists to define our existence through terrorism

and killing of Israelis.

At this point in the video, Sara addresses those Israeli Arabs who believe Israel is the occupier and questions

whether an “Apartheid” state would have Arab parliamentary members. Sarah reminds these Israeli Arabs in an

“Apartheid” state there is no freedom of speech and minorities are persecuted. Yet you (the terrorists) have

shamefully chosen to provoke a third intifada in the name of Aqsa in a country that protects the freedom of

religion and protects the holy sites including Al-Aqsa. The State of Israel, its people and their Prime Minister

have no intention of destroying Al-Aqsa and/or any other holy sites.

Sarah calls for an end to all the lies and incitement put forth by the radicals. Rather, Sarah emphatically says we

should be grateful for the State of Israel and “the wonderful people who embrace us with love. They are a pride

to humanity. We must support our soldiers who defend us with their bodies…Our army is the most moral army

in the world. To me they are my children…Terror and killing is not the way of the Jewish people (or) our dear

Prime Minister. It is not the way of the State of Israel…The Jewish people did not choose terror.”

Sarah concludes her speech by saying we must support Netanyahu as he is the right man in the right place.

Security for Israel is his number one priority. We must trust him. Thanks to Netanyahu we have a strong

economy and equal rights. He represents not only herself (Sarah) but all of Israel with dignity and pride. Sarah

warns not to let “freedom of speech and democracy become freedom of hate and incitement.” Despite our

differences we should be united and join together to fight anti-Semitism to build a better future for our

children.

Watching this powerful video, you see in Sarah, an Israeli Arab woman who is adamant in her beliefs. She

speaks with fortitude and strong conviction. Her forthright attitude is somewhat reminiscent of Golda Meir

and the Iron Lady - Margaret Thatcher - rolled into one. You see a woman of courage. You see a brave

woman outspoken about her pro-Zionistic views. Her choice to speak in a public forum was not only daring

but bold. I am convinced she must be on someone’s hit list. In fact her son, Muhammad Zoabi, fearing for his

life, has fled the country because of the exact same Zionistic views.

I pray for Sarah Zoabi’s safety. I pray more Israeli Arabs will see the light and the error of their ways.

Imagine what it would like if more Israeli Arabs openly embraced Israel with the same love and conviction as

Sarah Zoabi? Can you imagine Arab Israelis standing up for Israel and supporting the Jewish people? Perhaps

then it will be possible to live in peace, harmony and as one nation.

For those of you want to watch the actual video, here is the link

SARAH ZOABI SPEAKS TO THE ISRAELI KNESSET

My thanks to Bina Krieger for bringing this to my attention.