Ohad Merlin
Jerusalem Post, Dec. 19, 2024
Nael Zoabi, a Muslim Arab-Israeli educator, activist, and advocate who proudly and unequivocally defines himself as an Israeli Arab, has dedicated his entire professional and personal life to bridging cultural divides and promoting mutual understanding between Jewish and Arab communities in Israel.
With an impressive career spanning 30 years in the national education system and 16 years in school administration, Zoabi has been far more than just an educator. He is an active and passionate advocate for coexistence, the author of the thought-provoking book An Arab on the Israel Trail, and is consistently working to strengthen connections between Arab and Jewish populations in Israel.
Zoabi’s journey began in Kafr Nin, a village near Nazareth, where he grew up experiencing the nuanced realities of Arab-Jewish interactions. His childhood was marked by close observation of neighborhood dynamics and witnessing firsthand the potential for harmonious relationships between different communities.
“My children have all enrolled in national service and even in the police,” Zoabi stated proudly. His personal philosophy goes far beyond mere tolerance. “For me, the State of Israel is everything,” Zoabi emphasized with unwavering conviction. “The state’s well-being is my well-being, and its challenges are my challenges.”
This profound sense of national identity has been the driving force behind Zoabi’s advocacy activity, which pushed him ever since the October 7th attacks to speak out for Israel on Arabic-speaking outlets. ….SOURCE