I've met him twice, the second time in his village in Khawalid. What a cute place, and wonderful experience. I have pictures! If you wish to see them, send an e-mail. I wish Ismail all the best, and am proud that he will be a representative of Israel!

It doesn't really take a sharp pragmatic mind like Ismail's to realize that education and hard work, not violence or self-pity, is the key to economic, social, and political advancement. An IDF vet and proud Israeli, this man knows not to bite the hand that feeds him and is clearly thankful for the open society Israel provides. His success displays the growing success of Israel in creating a strong and diverse democratic society. There is certainly more work to do before Israel's minorities achieve equality, but people like Ismail Khaldi and Dr. Rania Okabi should serve as shining examples of what anyone can accomplish in Israel !!

Not the Swiss. Read ur history book stupid Swiss.

Israel should learn from Canada. The French r given equal rights here.

May you make your family and Israel proud!

Good luck!

Because if you can, then you would know that "palestine" has never existed. The word is derived from "Philistine" and everybody knows the Philistines got wiped out. By whom? Read your history book, arab.

Frisco is like Haifa in many ways. You should feel at home here. Congratulations on your discipline and determination. We are proud of you and look forward to your many efforts on the West Coast.

You still have NOT answered why do you come to A Jewish Israeli website Are you once going to have the guts to give an answer - we know you have an agenda ONLY NOW THIS WAS POSTED TO YOU MANY TIMES ........ learn it by heart The term "Palestinian" is itself a masterful twisting of history. !!!!!!!! To portray themselves as indigenous, Arab settlers adopted the name of an ancient Mediterranean tribe, the Philistines ("Invaders" in Hebrew), that disappeared out over almost 3000 years ago. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The connection between this tribe and modern day Arabs is nil. !!!!!!!!!! Romans, in order to conceal their shame and anger with rebellious regions, changed the references to Judea and Samaria by naming them Palestine. Judea and Samaria !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 1. Nationhood and Jerusalem - Israel became a nation in the 14th century B.C.E. Two thousand years before the rise of Islam. 2. Since 1272 B.C.E. the Jews have had dominion over the land for up to 1,000 years with a continuous Jewish presence in the land for the past 3,300 years. 3. The only Arab dominion since the Arab invasion and conquest in 635 C.E. lasted no more than 22 years. 4. King David founded the city of Jerusalem. Mohammed never came to Jerusalem. 5. For over 3,000 years, Jerusalem has been the Jewish capital. Jerusalem has never been the capital of any Arab or Muslim entity. Even when the Jordanians occupied Jerusalem, they never sought to make it their capital and Arab leaders did not come to visit. 6. Jerusalem is mentioned over 700 times in Tanach, the Jewish Holy Scriptures. Jerusalem is not mentioned once in the Koran. 7. Jews pray facing Jerusalem. Muslims pray facing Mecca (often with their backs toward Jerusalem). 8. In 1854, according to a report in the New York Tribune, Jews constituted two-thirds of the population of that holy city. 9. In 1867, Mark Twain took a tour of Palestine. This is how he described that land: A desolate country whose soil is rich enough but is given over wholly to weeds. A silent, mournful expanse. We never saw a human. 10. In 1882, official Ottoman Turk census figures showed that, in the entire Land of Israel, there were only 141 000 Muslims, both Arab and non-Arab. 11. A travel guide to Palestine and Syria was published in 1906 by Karl Baedeker; estimated the total population of Jerusalem at 60,000, of whom 7,000 were Muslims, 13,000 were Christians and 40,000 were Jews. 12. In 1922, with what was widely acknowledged as the illegal separation of Transjordan, the Jews were forbidden to settle on almost 77% of the Palestine, while Arab settlement went unrestricted and encouraged by British mandatory authority. Did you know that Saudi Arabia was not created until 1913, Lebanon until 1920? Iraq did not exist as a nation until 1932, Syria until 1941; the borders of Jordan were established in 1946 and Kuwait in 1961. Any of these nations that would say Israel is only a recent arrival would have to deny their own rights as recent arrivals as well. They did not exist as countries. They were all under the control of the Turks. Over 80% of the original British Mandate land was given to Arabs without population transfer of Arabs from the land designated for Jews. By the way do the math moonbat: Your H. calendar is only at 1428 Christians are in the year 2006 Israel/Jews are already living in the year 5766 - shortly moving into 5767 You are the last kid on the block Now don't come back here until you have educated yourself By the way STOP your occupation of Canada

sober up to what is what

For your information, it did occur a long time ago when an Israeli Arab was appointed as Consul General in Atlanta, Georgia. Sorry to spoil your wet dream about what a racist country Israel is.

My response to the Palestinian comment is simple: if all Palestinians were as "disgraceful" as Khaldi, they would have long ago had their own state. Enough said.

I met Ishmael on an El Al plane going to Israel 12/05. We have been in touch since. I have much respect and love for who he is and what he has done for himself, for his people, and for Israel. Ish, Kol Hakavod! Carole Rubin

I organized his coming to my school a few months ago and I am really impressed that he has pursued a path of diplomacy. His unique position as a Bedouin Muslim and Israeli citizen, all three of which he is proud can serve as a huge bridge between Israelis and Arabs. He is a very warm and soft spoken person, passionate with his views but understanding toward those that differ with him. Mazal Tov/Mabruk achi.

What the hell is a "Palestinian"?

That is a very accurate depiction of the hoax of the 20th and 21st centuries: "The "Palestinian" People". I thought Israel Nationhood came earlier than the 14th cent. BCE. I thought it was more around 20-25th cent BCE, I'm probably wrong but is the Hebrew calender not 5766 or thereabouts? I dont' think Mohammed ever came to Israel let alone Jerusalem. I do know that the 1922 partition was in fact an illegal partition due to it still being on supposed record of American Foreign Policy: 1922 Fish Agreement which Britian screwed the Americans and the Jews. The most tragic event is that most Jews are ignorant and also use the term "Palestinian" for Arab. This would make Yasshole Arafag proud as he sits in Hell next to Allah, Mohammed, Hitler and Karl Marx. Be well.... and may Israel soon find its pride and moreso its testicles and truly liberate ALL of their land and make their JEWISH, moral abiding State. Socialism has never worked not even on paper re: International Socialist/Communist Manifesto... Speilberg should do a documentary on the "Fraud of the Ages: "The Palestinian People". It also behooves me that any non Moslem country would let in Moslems after reading the Quraan.