To think like an Arab Israeli
The article below written by Yahyah Mahamid originally appeared February 3, 2024 on ynetnews.com (https://www.ynetnews.com/article/sjoltmh56). We at Israel Matters found this so interesting and important that we are sharing it with you below.
As an Arab-Israeli, the events of October 7 and the fighting in Gaza have had a profound effect on me and the Arab community in Israel as a whole. These events put a spotlight on the complicated and complex dynamics of coexistence, the heavy price Israeli Arabs paid and are still paying, and the strong desire of Israeli Arabs to be part of Israeli society.
The State of Israel has a rich fabric of cultures, religions
and identities. Coexistence is not just an idea; rather, it
is a vital necessity for the strength and resilience of our
nation. Israeli Arabs, who make up a significant part of
the population, have a central role in Israeli society. Our
contributions in the various sectors such as medicine,
education and technology, are evidence of this fact.
However, the journey toward coexistence is full of
challenges and obstacles.
Machane Yehuda Market in Jerusalem where Jews
and Arabs come together to buy and sell goods
The massacre of October 7 and the ongoing fighting in
Gaza took a heavy toll on our community, and clearly
answered a question that every Israeli Arab has: are we
all one and the same in the eyes of the enemy? The fear
that this round would lead to riots, similar to those we
experienced in May 2021, during Operation Guardian of
the Walls, was growing. However, contrary to these
concerns, the Arab community reacted with remarkable
restraint and maturity. This response was not accidental,
but a deliberate choice by the community, which
To think like an Arab Israeli
demonstrated a deep desire for integration and peace.
This choice is evidence of our commitment and belief in a
common future where coexistence and mutual respect are
above all. This is a powerful statement that the Arabs of
Israel are not watching from the sidelines but are active
participants in shaping the future of the country.
The loss of human life and the kidnapping of civilians
such as Qaid al-Qadi, Bilal al-Ziadna, Hamza al-Ziadna,
Aisha al-Ziadna, Yusuf al-Ziadna, and the tragic death of
Samer al-Talalka along with two Jewish hostages, are
wounds that will take time to heal. These events
emphasize the fact that in the eyes of the cruel enemy,
all of us – Jews, Arabs, Druze, Christians – are all
legitimate targets in their eyes.
Siblings Bilal and Aisha al-Ziadna (center) in an
Israeli hospital after their release from Hamas
captivity
The question “What will happen if…” is a question that
goes through the mind of every Israeli Arab. What will
happen to us, Israeli Arabs, if the enemy arrives at our
doorstep? For years, many of us refused to believe that
we would be the ones targeted by this terrorist
organization; Hamas. After all, as this organization
presents itself as an Islamic organization, it is absolutely
forbidden to harm another Muslim, or even a person who,
according to rumors, is a Muslim. In the Quran, it is
written, “Whoever kills a believer (Muslim) with the first
intention, his punishment will be hell forever, and Allah
will pour out his wrath on him and curse him and
prepare for him a tremendous punishment.” Sura 4:93.
In the massacre of October 7, we got an answer to this
question. Hamas-ISIS does not attach any importance to
Islam – it has murdered, raped and kidnapped civilians,
Jews and Arabs alike.
The story of Sergeant First Class (Res.) Ahmed Abu Latif
is another example of the desire of Israeli Arabs to
contribute and be a part of Israeli society. His sacrifice,
alongside other fallen heroes such as Sergeant Major
Ibrahim Haruba, Sergeant Habib Kiaan and Sergeant
Salman Ibn Marai, emphasizes the common fate of
Israeli Arabs and Jews. They symbolize the unity and
resilience of the Israel Defense Forces, which includes
both Arab and Jewish soldiers, standing together to
defend the nation.
Sergeant First Class (Res.) Ahmed Abu Latif
As the late Abu Latif wrote in a chilling post after the
massacre on October 7, “We all share the same fate and
we must be together and united, that way, people who do
not believe in cooperation between the sectors, try to
intimidate, provoke and destroy relations, destroy trust.
Don’t believe them and don’t let it happen.”
Many people around the world, under the guise of human
rights activists and under the guise of “concern” for the
Palestinians, spread lies and conspiracies, trying to
create conflict between us and our Jewish partners. In
the words of Abu Latif – don’t believe them, and don’t let
it happen.