This Muslim Israeli Woman Is the Future of the Middle East | FP in Israel
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Published 2024-02-09
Born and raised in a small Jewish town in Israel’s Negev desert, as one of the only Arab Muslim families, she has a unique lens through which to view the divisions in Israeli society, the complexity of the country’s national identity, and the Middle East more generally.
Lucy has long been a vocal critic of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and is equally critical of her fellow Arab Israelis, particularly of Arab violence and the Arab leadership that she says condones it.
A Muslim and a Zionist; an Arab and an Israeli. In short, Lucy Aharaish is an iconoclast.
Bari Weiss sat down with Lucy in Tel Aviv. They talked about the October 7 massacre and its impact on the country and her family–her husband put on his uniform and headed to the south within hours of hearing the news, despite being past the age of an active reservist. She also talked about the challenges she faced growing up as the only Arab Muslim kid in a traditional Jewish village, the terrorist attack that she survived in Gaza as a child, and the hope that she has for her Muslim-Jewish son and the future of the country she calls home.
All Comments (21)
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Israeli here, Lucy is extraordinary person and we are lucky to have her, amazing and touching interview❤
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I’m a non Jewish woman living in Israel, everything she is telling is so true. What she felt and thought on the 7th of October were the same thoughts and sensations I also had. You feel less alone listening this interview
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I’m an American woman feeling so lost, heartbroken and enraged by what’s happening to Israel/Jews. I’m an atheist and politically homeless now too, since the left is objectively psychotic. Hearing from people like Lucy, Douglas Murray, Mosab Hassan Yousef and other courageous/ethical people is one of the only rays of hope I see and they’ll never know how much I appreciate them.
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I am a Christian Israeli. This is a great interview.
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From her description, her parents are outstanding people of exceptional character.
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A Jewish Israeli here-I am so proud of the existence of her. She’s amazing and a voice that we as a society need to hear more🙏🏽
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This interview bought me to tears. 😭😭😭Thank you for your insights and your story. You are an amazing women. May all Israelis have peace. ❤ Love from South Africa.
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What a classy person. All Israelis and Palestinians should be required to listen to this
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I am a non Jewish/Arab etc... ( Chinese ) and l applaud you in your brilliant speech.l need people like you to keep my sanity and to hold our future generations together.Thank you.
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I am Israeli and Jewish. We love you Lucy! You are part of our hope for a better future.
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Its the best interview from a Arab lady ....that was emotional ,people should understand how Israel live in a land surrounded by Arabs
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Lucy is so articulate and explaining the facts so clearly . I have tears in my y eyes when she says « I lost my sense of compassion « .As a French Jew living in the US I heard what is happened on October 7th ,I was beyond devastated .Now I have to listen to the president of Columbia University evading extremely serious questions .I am sick in my stomach .Lucy is an exceptional and highly intelligent person .May G-D bless her ,her family and all of Israel .
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I’m an Israeli Jew and I love Lucy so so much! She’s so great! 👍
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Now let's hear from an Israeli growing up in a Muslim surrounding.
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This interview was all I need for tonight! Kisses and hugs from Egypt! 🇪🇬💚
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I’m an Iraqi Muslim living the US, and I’m totally agree about the far right or the extremist from both sides are willing to make us lose our humanity in order to manipulate more and more people for their political and religious interests, so, we all, should go back to our humanity and prevent the killing of innocent lives happening right now, this is insane that we’re watching this like nothing happened, and the hostages must be freed, especially the children and women NOW.
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Protect this woman at all costs. She is the recipe for peace. ❤
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Everyone needs to hear this interview. Wonderful. The world needs more people like this fantastic person. She understands what ‘peace’ means.
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One of the best interview ive heard for a long time. Thank you ao much ❤
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This was incredibly moving! First, Mrs. Weiss, god bless you for upholding the highest standards of journalistic integrity. I admire you and The Free Press! Secondly, Lucy, as a Jew, I'm deeply moved and in awe of your courage and humanity! May God bless you and your entire family. You give me hope that one day Jews and Arabs will be able to peacefully coexist. Mazel Tov & Mashallah!
