"Protecting the residents is a privilege": the story of the first Christian fighter in the IDF

Although in the village where she grew up raising an eyebrow at enlisting in the IDF, Alyssa had no hesitation. According to her, it is a dream come true and she always wanted to be a fighter in the army.

Mom is a little scared sometimes "

Yanir will defend

21/05/2022

Saturday, 21 May 2022, 15:06

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For Corporal Alyssa, enlistment in the army was accompanied by raising an eyebrow in the village where she grew up, there was concern about the reactions, but she insisted and became the first Christian infantry fighter in the IDF. And always asked why not study some degree to be gentle like all girls, to have children, "Alyssa said." At first it affected me, but it was my dream, I felt obligated to my country, if I am here, getting rights I have to give back to my country.

Today, my mom and dad are very proud of me.

Mom sometimes worries because I'm inside and active.

My father came to visit me a lot, to bring food to me and the soldiers at the base.

It's most important to have someone who supports me at home. "

According to Alyssa, she is the only woman in the village who enlisted in the war.

"Two girls enlisted in my class, but not for war. I was pleasantly surprised that my friends support me. There are few reactions of why you enlist and sentences like 'You will always remain an Arab, you will always feel different in the IDF.'

But they do not know what the experience is like here, "she said." I do not refer and remind myself that judges are always outside. "

She explained that "I always had this thought of enlisting, the fear of what people would say. But seeing that more of my classmates enlisted it gave me a boost to do it."

Alyssa has been serving in the Karkal Battalion for a year and three months now.

"We are involved in the battalion in thwarting drug smuggling, weapons, and also ISIS fighters on the Egyptian-southern Gaza border," she said of her role in the service.

"I'm shot and killed - that's a weapon found on a Hummer vehicle."

She has already participated in a number of activities on the border in front of drug smugglers.

She said, "In my last line there were several drug seizures in the southern sector. We had an ambush, I was with another fighter in the duo, I shot and I have nocturnal means of sight. I saw people approaching from our side to smuggle the drugs and started a gunfight. I felt a heartbeat, adrenaline inside. "The body. At that moment you are not really thinking about how you feel, I was determined to complete the task."

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"I always had the thought of enlisting."

Alyssa (Photo: IDF Spokesman)

The fighter said she found combatants in the battalion who would always be there: "I have a lot of friends I can say are lifelong."

However, there are still those in the Arab sector who do not approve of its recruitment.

"Some people I was surprised to be told I made the right move, and there are a few people who decided to cut off contact because of it," Alyssa said.

In the meantime, she is already planning for the future and hopes to continue serving in the security forces, when after the service she is interested in enlisting in the police.

"Fighting and protecting the citizens and residents of this country is a right," she said.

Beyond that, Alyssa has a message she wanted to convey: "There are Arab girls who want to enlist but are scared, I will give them the push. Once they see that there are more girls, it will also give them the urge to enlist. For example I, if I see a girl like me in the army, "It will intrigue me and push me. There are non-profit organizations that help with recruitment."

"Make various adjustments to the minorities designated for the service."

Col. Shadi Othman (Photo: IDF Spokesman)

One of the respected people who took part in raising the glass on the occasion of the Christian community during the Defense Minister Bnei Gantz is the head of the population director, Col. Shadi Othman, the trust for the integration of minority Christians in the IDF.

"We make various adjustments to the minorities destined for service, who serve in the IDF and are discharged, who belong to a variety of populations, each of which has a unique culture and customs, including the minority Christian population."

"For Christian minority ministers who wish to volunteer for military service, exposure conferences are held for the reserve track, an excellence track intended for significant positions in the IDF, and military preparation content is delivered in pre-military preparatory courses. Said Othman.

"Every year there is a major event for the servants to mark Christmas, which this year was held under the leadership of the Minister of Defense. And contains ".

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