Female Arab Soldier: "I Came to Serve my Country"

Female Arab Soldier: "I Came to Serve My Country and My Home."

Mona Liza My name is Mona Liza. I’m an Arab Christian from Haifa, and a fighter in the IDF
I joined the IDF because I am an inseparable part of Israel. I came to serve my country and my home. My job as a commander in the IDF is to prevent terrorist attacks, smuggling operations, and illegal entry into the country.
I think if I prevent drugs from entering the country, I not only protect the Jewish people but the Arabs as well. I defend every small child in the State of Israel from exposure to drugs.
If I could roll back the clock to three years ago, I would choose the same unit, but I’d strive to accomplish a lot more.
All my life, I learned in a Jewish school. At age 17, everybody received their draft notice and I did not. I said to my mother: “Mom, I want to enlist.” I had heard that a lot of Bedouins join the army, and serve the country even if they don’t have to. So I thought that maybe the IDF would accept me too. So I tried. I went to the draft center, and one of the commanders that was there was Druze (an Arabic speaking community). He helped me a lot during the process and really motivated me.
Mona Liza’s Mother When my daughter came to me and said, “Mom, I want to enlist in the army and serve our country,” I was very surprised. I did not know how to express my joy because it was so mature of her. It was a big surprise and created a lot of joy for the whole family. I advise all young Arab boys and girls to enlist in our army, for our land and country. This is our country and our home. Here we live and here we will die. The roots of our fathers and children are here. To all the young people out there, I say: the army is a university. It’s not just an army but a place to learn and be a part of a new family.
Mona Liza I keep the country of Israel safe not just for the Jews but for the Arabs, too. I would sacrifice my life for the good of the State of Israel and all its citizens.

Related Articles

More From Heritage

The Adventure Of Shalom

Shalom is the Hebrew word for peace. I know it, you know it, and most of the world knows the…
The Adventure Of Shalom
Children are People Too

Children are People Too

Parents may say they love all of their children the same, and most people would agree they…
Children are People Too
Twas the Night Before Christmas

Twas the Night Before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas, and we, being Jews My girlfriend and me -- we had nothing to…
Twas the Night Before Christmas

Ethiopian Jews of Israel

The amazing story of the Ethiopian Jews of Israel. It's a story about faith, living up dreams…
Ethiopian Jews of Israel

Who is a Jew Survey Part 2

In our last survey we told a story of two people. David was raised Jewish and became a rabbi.…
Who is a Jew Survey Part 2
Aaron Shust lyrics:

Zion

A beautiful song about the Jewish homeland.
Zion

Mensch on Wheels

Bubbe has an app for you! She's 84 and she's taking the tech world by storm.
Mensch on Wheels

Aliyah from Ethiopia

The Addis family is reunited in Israel after waiting nearly twenty years to make Aliyah from…
Aliyah from Ethiopia

PM Congressional Speech

Some people in congress have threatened to boycott Israel's Prime Minister's speech to congress…
PM Congressional Speech

Publish the Menu module to "offcanvas" position. Here you can publish other modules as well.
Learn More.


donation