Arab Muslim wants to join IAF

[Scurrilous]

Exclusive: Youth requests that the IDF enable him to join the army's prestigious pilot training course, says he wants to serve his country. This is a test for the state, his father claims, adding that Arabs must be granted equal opportunity in Israel

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3193604,00.html

<snip>

"An 18-year-old youth from northern Israel is an outstanding student who completed his high school diploma with top grades. He is also a gifted civilian pilot. His dream is to become a pilot in the Israeli air force, but one thing may stand in his way: He is an Arab Muslim.

The young and motivated teen has already passed the IDF's first stages of the draft, and recently submitted a request to be recruited to the IAF's prestigious pilot training course, Israel's leading newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported Monday.

If he succeeds, he is set to become the country's first Israeli-Arab military pilot."

<snip>

"According to IDF sources, the youth's request is unusual and will need to be examined by the army's Personnel Directorate. If he qualifies for the force, he is to undergo a "security suitability inspection," which will determine whether he is eligible for the course.

Notably, while the Arab Muslims in Israel constitute about 20 percent of the population, only 20 join the army each year."

[Scurrilous]

1. Former IAF chief backs Arab pilot

Senior officials at IDF's Personnel Directorate say Arab Muslim youth who asked to join army's pilot training course should be drafted if he meets all security requirements, Israel's leading newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reports

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3194220,00.html

<snip>

"The Arab Muslim youth who asked to join the army's pilot training course has dropped a bomb and we will have to deal with it, senior officials at the IDF's Personnel Directorate said following Monday's publication in Israel's leading newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth.

The teen was also surprisingly supported by former Israel Air Force Commander Eitan Ben-Eliyahu, who told Yedioth Ahronoth Monday that he is generally in favor of integrating Arab Muslims into the Air Force as pilots, after they meet all the security requirements and tests.

"This cannot be prevented from citizens of the State of Israel, where they have full rights and duties," Ben-Eliyahu said.

"Each case should be examined individually, as well as examining the candidate's level of loyalty," he said."

[Scurrilous]

2. IDF says 'No' to Arab pilot

Army rejects Muslim teen's request to join pilot training course; youth sent to paratroopers instead

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3198013,00.html

<snip>

"No Arab pilots for now: The IDF's Personnel Directorate has decided to reject the request of an18-year-old Arab Muslim from northern Israel who sought to join the army's prestigious pilot training course, Israel's leading newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported Tuesday.

Instead of becoming a pilot, the army offered the teen to volunteer to the paratroopers.

The disappointed youth, who graduated from high school with honors and already holds a civilian pilot's license, is expected to undergo initial tests on Thursday for the IDF's paratroopers unit.

However, the teen's father said the youth plans to appeal the decision to IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz, and if needed even take the matter to court, in order to open the pilot course for Arab Muslims as well."

[TokenJew]

3. An unfortunate decision

At some point, Israelis will have to start trusting their Arab citizens as much as they trust their Jewish ones. It's not like this teenager was born outside Israel or had expressed an interest in helping the Intifada or whatnot.

[eyl]

4. I suppose we'll have

another Alice Miller case now