Written by Atara Beck for the Jewish Tribune

TORONTO – Ishmael Khaldi, a high-ranking Israeli Arab employee in Foreign Service, was here last week to provide guidance in advocacy at a Student Leadership Campus Retreat at Wasaga Beach for Hasbara@York and StandWithUs@York in coordination with B’nai Brith Canada and Speakers Action Group.

Brought to Canada from the U.S., where he was on a private visit, by Canadian Council for Israel and Jewish Advocacy (CIJA), Khaldi spent last Friday at the B’nai Brith offices, meeting with the organization’s leadership and speaking to media about the equal opportunities in Israel for all citizens regardless of ethnicity or religion. On Saturday he spoke at the Uptown Chabad synagogue before joining the retreat.

Khaldi, 38, who resides in Tel Aviv, was born into a Bedouin tribe. One of 11 children, he grew up as a shepherd, living in a family tent. A “proud Israeli,” he holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from Tel Aviv University and recently served as vice-consul for Israel in San Francisco.

According to Khaldi, most Israeli Arabs are not opposed to the state of Israel as a state, although they might disagree with the authorities or with policies, as is the case in any democratic country.

“It’s not a perfect state,” he said. “Certain things have to be fixed, and they are being fixed,” he said. “Many Israeli Arabs serve in the police force. Young Arab girls do national service. Nobody speaks about it [in the international media].

“There is controversy in the Arab community, but the younger generation doesn’t ask anyone [for permission to serve their country]. They volunteer in hospitals and community centres. They want to contribute to their country. They are more Israeli than their parents or grandparents. Many hold high positions in academia or have become heads of medical departments.

“A lot more needs to be done. There must be more investment by the authorities in the infrastructure – not just for the Arab communities, but also for other minorities like the Ethiopian Jews and the Chassidim.”

Contrary to statements made by Labour MK Avishai Braverman, who spoke here last fall at the Reform Biennial convention, Khalid stated: “I think Israeli Arabs are treated equally. They can do anything Jewish Israelis can do, if they meet the requirements, ability, skill and military experience.”

As for his choice to leave his community for a different lifestyle, Khaldi acknowledged that there were “mixed feelings. Some wanted me to stay and live in the village.” But there was no anger or feelings of betrayal, he said. “No way. They were proud.”

Khaldi believes that Jews “absolutely” have the right to build homes in east Jerusalem. “Can Jews live in the heart of Hebron?” he added. “Of course, but you have to be smart,” he said, referring to what he thought was bad timing in the announcement of the construction of homes for ultra-orthodox Jews in east Jerusalem during American Vice-President Joe Biden’s recent visit to the region.

It is precisely because Israel is a free country and people of diverse backgrounds could associate with each other – in other words, there is no apartheid – that there is less animosity towards Israel and Jews among Israeli Arabs than in the disputed territories, Khaldi explained. Nevertheless, he is hopeful that peace will ultimately prevail.

Pointing to the wealth of information available on the Internet, he said, “I think the change will come from there.” Regardless of the antisemitic propaganda and the misinformation about Israel in educational materials and media in the Palestinian areas, the students “will go home and look at the worldwide web.”

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