Outstanding Arab IDF soldier refused position
Majdi Othman, a former combat medic in the Border Police and driver in the IDF's permanent service, who served in the Second Lebanon War, is denied a technician's job in the Airports Authority due to 'security lack of suitability.'
Othman, a resident of Abu Ghosh, who served in the Border Police and in the IDF permanent service, said he was shocked to receive the letter of rejection despite serving as a combat medic and driver in the 162nd Division that fought in the Second Lebanon War.
He described his surroundings and his friends in Abu Ghosh as residents who have been ardent advocates of coexistence for decades, and are loyal to the state: "I was very hurt; they asked me if I had ties to ISIS. I am a married man and I want to live and support my family with dignity."
Othman said he chose to enlist in the army after going to school with Jewish kids in Jerusalem: "I wanted to contribute, to give of myself and get ahead in life."
He claimed that he had never been treated differently as an Arab during his service in the Border Police and the IDF: "Following my recruitment, young people from the village and neighboring villages like Ein Naqquba and Ein Rafa enlisted as well. I had the opportunity to work in security sensitive positions, like in the City of David, the Jerusalem area and the Light Rail."
A year ago, Othman applied for a job as a technician at Laufer Company that provides services to the Airports Authority in the Ben Gurion Airport area.
"I saw the job just like any other citizen in the country. I came across the recruitment ad in the newspaper, I met all the conditions and they asked me to wait for a security clearance." Othman insisted that those responsible for the recruitment process stayed in touch with him throughout and constantly told him they were still waiting for approval.
In the official letter he received from the Shin Bet, it stated: "You security status was found unsuitable for the technician's job in the Airports Authority that has a security clearance level 6. Your security incompatibility was established based on conduct that has the potential to create a risk of violation of norms and rules, among them, relating to the security of facilities."
According to Othman, "their reasoning is national. I am loyal to the country and I am a good citizen, I have no criminal or security record. I hope senior officials like the prime minister and the defense minister come up with something to do so as not to lose good citizens who are contributing to the country."
Othman added that he did not believe that such incidents did in fact occur: "I kept hearing stories about racism and discrimination and did not believe them until it came to me. I'm in shock. The party that refused to recruit me was not just another employer, it was the State."
Othman's lawyer said he is considering appealing the decision to refuse his candidacy: "It is difficult to think of any other reason that could have affected the decision other than his ethnicity. If indeed this was the consideration, it is wrong. It is very surprising that one of the country's largest official bodies allows itself to treat a normative citizen who dedicated his life to serving his country in such a manner."
The Shin Bet said in response: "Majdi Othman was a candidate for a classified position, and thus, a security eligibility investigation was conducted by The Israel Security Agency. During the investigation, information regarding possible security risks arose, thus leading to the decision determining his lack of suitability for the position. Naturally, we cannot provide details with regard to the reasons underlying the decision. According to the law, Mr. Othman may appeal this decision."
