A few days after he entered the "Big Brother" house, a notice of resignation from Kazem Khaliliya was published in the village of Iksal.
"In the name of Allah the Merciful and Compassionate, we, the Khaliliya family from the village of Iksal, declare before God and the entire Muslim nation, without coercion or pressure from anyone and on any side, our complete and utter innocence from Qazim Khaliliyah. "
In the announcement of the renunciation of him and his actions, Kazem, who has been cut off for two weeks from what is happening outside the "Big Brother" house, did not watch, but this is not a surprise because the complex relationship with his family has been expressed in the past.
Do not know what awaits him outside, Photo: From the show, Network 13
"My family knows what's going on, but they do not understand the concept of the program," he told us two days before he entered the Big Brother house.
"I explained as much as I could, and I'm not hiding anything from them. When I came back from school I would share them all, and it's been like this to this day. My parents have come a long way with me, and I'm sure there will be beauties preaching against me, "And in the end, I'm their son."
When I asked him if he was not afraid of their reaction, he replied confidently, as one who had been through a thing or two in his life: "They have already said about me that I am gay, they have said about me that I am a traitor. They have always said all these things about me.
In 2015, Kazem's first family crisis with his family occurred, following which the connection was completely severed.
That time the reason was his political preferences.
"I used to be a Likudnik, and my parents didn't like it," he says.
"I was not one of those who say 'Bibi, king of Israel,' I was a Likudnik, but I was never a Bibist."
Why did it bother them?
"I uploaded a video in which I said that Jerusalem should be declared the capital of Israel, and that day the family cut me off. The video went online, was very viral, and my mother sent me a message that I was not her son anymore and that I would not come home anymore."
Controversial from the first moment at home, Photo: From the show, Network 13
Sounds very tough.
"It was hard, especially in the beginning. I had birthdays and there were no calls, on Muslim holidays they also did not call. Suddenly I found myself celebrating alone, and it was very difficult. Everyone cut off contact with me, both the brothers and the extended family."
How did you manage financially?
"There were a lot of concessions. At that time I was studying law, and one day they called and told me that my mother had stopped the payments. I could not handle everything alone and I stopped them. This disconnection caused me deep mental and financial damage."
Have you considered giving up public support in favor of a relationship with your family?
"No, because that's what I believe in and the waiver was not worth it. I was educated at home to stand on my own, and if I believe in something I go with it to the end. If for example I was educated on mutual guarantee, I will go with it. Obviously the severance was difficult, But it was clear to me that I was going with the truth. "
Indeed, this time too Kazem went with his truth, and will discover its consequences only after he leaves the house.
"The relationship with my parents is very good," he testified just two weeks ago.
"I'm more of a mom's kid, with Dad there was distance. We're a very close-knit family. I have 14 uncles and aunts and we all get together and eat at Grandma's from morning to night."
Positive insolence
Today Kazem Khaliliya no longer needs to be introduced.
The reality show starring him is a success, and he has emerged as one of the most controversial characters of the season from day one.
For those who are not aware of the events, it should be noted that Khaliliya is 28 years old, a Muslim Arab who was born and raised in the village of Iksal near Afula.
His father Yosef is a pensioner, and his mother Muna works with at-risk youth.
He has two brothers and a sister.
He studied biology outside the village, at ORT Nazareth High School, and even then he was known for his high intelligence, sharp speech and uncompromising pursuit of justice.
"There is a stigma that if you have a smart child, you send him to study in the city and not in the village," he says, emphasizing: "I had a good childhood, the fact that at one point I moved to Tel Aviv is not considered an upgrade for me."
What student were you?
“I was not only a smart student, but also the chairman of the student council.
I had a positive audacity.
Suppose, when they wanted to ask for something from the teachers they would send me, because only I had the courage to do it.
I was a fighter for justice.
I always fight for others.
If I see someone insulting a woman next to me - I will immediately intervene, even if it is not related to me.
If I see homeless people on the street - I treat them. "
Conscription
At the age of 25, when he was cut off from his family, Kazam decided he was enlisting in the IDF. “I really wanted to make an army because I wanted to feel a sense of belonging.
When I was 18, my parents did not agree to my enlistment, and because I needed their financial backing, I gave up and put it aside. "
Why did they not want you to enlist?
"I had Jewish friends from Upper Nazareth, and when they graduated from high school, they went to the IDF and enlisted.
When I graduated from high school my dad wanted me to study medicine.
He translated my certificate into Ukrainian and informed me that I was flying to study there, because with us in the dream sector of every father and mother is that their son will be a doctor but I did not see myself as a doctor. "
What did you do?
"During those years I was involved in advocating for Israel against the BDS organizations, but I felt I was compelling to do good, because I was explaining about the army while I myself did not serve in the army. "When I returned to Israel, I went to a recruitment bureau and asked to enlist."
Kazem enlisted as a lone soldier, and the troubles were not long in coming even after enlistment.
"During my first term, I was the IDF Spokesman.
I was there for half a year and during the service I was diagnosed with heart disease.
I was released on profile 21. I cried for them not to take down my profile because I went through so many interrogations and classifications to enlist - and in the end I was released on medical.
I was released on November 24, and the day after I sent a request to volunteer for the GLC. Shimon Alkabetz (station commander at the time - AS) received me and gave me a chance to enter. When I entered I was told I would be the first Muslim soldier, and for me it was not just pride Also responsibility, because I want to prove that I deserve to be here and not just on the standard of affirmative action. "
Kazam explains on Instagram why he chose to enlist in the IDF, Photo: Facebook
"Before there was a release from the IDF, the connection with the family was renewed." There was a staff meeting at my mother's job, and my mother said there that the thing she wanted most was to see her son, whom she had not seen for five years.
How was the meeting?
"Very exciting. I did not see her for five years and we had a gap that needed to be filled it was a very strange feeling, I went back there and did not recognize people. There are children born in the family and I did not know them. I had new cousins I do not know their names. Everything was New and strange. "
Is your commitment first to the family and the place you come from, or first to the country?
"My foundation, my education and my values are first and foremost from where I come from and I am here thanks to them. But even from this place I am not the kind of people who are afraid to break doors and glass ceilings. I do not believe in 'eat me drink me'. I am not afraid of background criticism "My political views and I do not like being forced to have an identity. I am as proud of being an Arab as I am of being Israeli."
Do you feel that in Israeli society you are well received?
"In general, I received warmth and love, but not from everyone. The extremist Jews say harsh things against the Arabs, and I ask where did we end up? "What do you need this newspaper for? All the Arabs should be thrown out of here."
What did you answer him?
"I told him, 'You can talk a little better, because I're an Arab by chance.' An argument developed between us. I will not tolerate.I hate racists.
"After my release I thought it would be easier for me in Israeli society, but as long as I am an Arab I feel I should mention that I made an army. My feeling is that I am Israeli for everything. There is no difference between a Jew who made an army and me. It is important for me to say that Arabs make an army. "Not only is he an entry ticket into Israeli society, but he also gave me a sense of belonging, and when I sit with my Jewish friends and we talk about the army, I understand everything and nothing is new to me."
Are you glad you enlisted?
"I'm very opinionated, and the High Court did not always like it (laughs), but if you ask me if I would enlist again - the answer is yes, it's one of the best things I've done in my life.
The army is the place that has received me the most, regardless of religion, race or gender. "
Who did you vote for in the election?
"I do not want to say, I can only say that I am not a babysitter and I did not vote for the Likud."
Know, but do not speak
After the information and recruitment to the IDF, precisely when it seemed that the parties reached an understanding and learned to live side by side, Qazam decided to break conventions again and come out of the closet. "I came out of the closet, I came back and went out again," he says.
How did it happen?
"My big brother called me at work and told me 'let me know you're resigning and come home,' but he did not want to tell me the reason on the phone. I called my sister, who has a good relationship with all of us, and started to find out what happened. She told me they sent him screenshots of my profile "Atref (a dating app for gays) and that's how he found out I was gay. That day I did not return home and stayed to sleep with a friend, who recommended that I call my mother and tell her."
Did you come out of the closet with her face in a phone call?
"I called her and she was at the wedding, but I asked her to step aside and tell her what happened. I told her I was gay and that I loved men. She told me 'go back and we'll take you to a psychologist.'
"It is a pity I will not be in the parade this year. We must continue to march and not give up," Photo: Coco
I understand that the repair did not really work ...
"After about a year I decided to get out of the closet officially, but I never talked to them about it. I'm gay, I'm not ashamed of it and I never hid it, but it's not my ticket. What I do in bed is my business and not the business of others." .
Disappointed with you?
"Every parent has an expectation that his son will marry a woman and have children, and when I did not live up to that expectation it is clear that they were disappointed. But they do not talk to me about it and do not interfere with me. To this day there is no conversation about my sexual orientation. They know, but do not talk about it." .
Are you in a relationship?
"I was once in a relationship with a Jew for a year. My family did not know him, but I did know his parents."
How did they receive you?
"He was an Ashkenazi who brought an Arab and it was difficult for them, but I think they accepted me because he loved me and wanted me."
The road to the fireplace
So far, Kazem has managed to team up with Dina and quarrel with Nathaniel.
He was accused by some of the tenants of being a gossip and also hiding food.
Although he is one of the dominant occupants of the house, he came to "Big Brother" almost by accident.
"A friend sent a message to the band, and I didn't want to because I was stressed," he recalls.
"On the one hand I am an open person, but on the other hand it is to speak in front of the whole country. I was afraid, and rightly so."
What made you change your attitude?
"I went to the first audition, from there to the second, and slowly I started wanting it. I constantly applaud people, but never put myself first, and in this case I decided I wanted it for myself and for the experience."
And beyond the experience, do you have an aspiration to show a different side of an Arab-Israeli?
"I do not want to be judged as an Arab. Especially in this time, when we have become the biggest enemies in the country. I want people to see that it is possible to be leftist and love the country and see the good Arabs as well. I do not come to speak for anyone, but only for myself, But I live in Tel Aviv and I live with Jews, and it works great. "
Do you think it is possible to live in peace?
"Israeli society believes that it is possible to live together, but there are some extreme beauties on both sides who are bothering us."
The item I posted about your entry into the house had a lot of racist reactions.
"Friends told me 'do not read', but I went in and read - and it strengthened me. Although in the picture I put in uniform, it did not make them change their minds, and it is their right. Their right to love and their right not to love. I hope to enter the house and explain who I am and talk "On this fabric of Jews and Arabs. Arab society is a neglected society in the country and I want to talk about that as well."
What did you think of the students waving PLO flags at universities?
"It bothered me to see the flags, but I think you have to ask why they do it. The answer is that they do not feel belonging. If you are a teacher and out of twenty students one does not feel belonging, put a stripe on it. Later ten more students will not feel belonging, and so on Before I was discharged from the army, I went to Tel Aviv University to write an article about the Arab students and I had a hard time, because I saw how many they did not belong. Suddenly, the center of the interview became that I was an Arab in uniform. "The establishment and the government do not let us feel a sense of belonging."
Arab students waving Palestinian flags at Tel Aviv University, Photo: Dudu Greenspan
Do you feel a sense of belonging?
"Personally, they did not make me feel a sense of belonging, but I did it myself, knocked on their door and said I wanted to enlist. On the one hand we are called to integrate, but on the other hand there are no tools to integrate. I wish everyone would be like me, but that is not the case."
Do you take into account that a participant who is against Arabs will be cast?
"Even so, I will know how to deal with everyone in the house. My job is to make information, and I will do it. We are in 2022, a year ago we made peace with four or five Arab countries, so how can it be that there is no peace inside the house? Disgusts me. "
Examples of his being a "fighter for justice," as he puts it, can also be found in his references on social media to what is happening in the country.
One post, by Maayan Adam, in which she openly stated that she was afraid of Arabs, particularly annoyed him.
"I remember seeing it while sitting at the desk at the GLC and getting upset.
Should she be afraid of me?
I asked permission from my headquarters to address this and posted a response.
Maayan called me and asked me to delete the post.
I told her I would delete on the condition that she delete, but she did not agree to that.
She said she did not mean everyone, but what is it if not generalization?
I think if I'm already in prime time, I'll take this stage for just those issues, because it's time we bring the good side of the Arabs and not just when they are murderers or thieves.
"Because of a few individuals, not everyone has to be judged."
Is there a chance for a relationship on screen?
"I do not know. I did not go in to look for a connection in the Big Brother house, but if there is someone who is my taste and it will be mutual, can be, and if not - we will get along without it."
While you are at home there will be a Pride Parade.
Have you been to it before?
"It is a pity I will not be in the parade this year. I marched for four years and I always had fun. We must continue to march and not despair until there is full equality, also in Jerusalem and everywhere. A pride parade in Jerusalem is no less important than Tel Aviv precisely because of the complexity of this city. I am so proud of this community, and I wish everyone a happy month of pride. "
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