IDF Diversity: How a Catholic Filipino Became an IDF Soldier
“You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 19:34)
image: http://www.breakingisraelnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/idf.jpg
(Photo : Tal Lisos/ IDF Spokesperson’s Unit)
Early in the month of February, a strange situation took place in the Israeli Military.
During a Krav Maga competition hosted by the Wingate Institute between various IDF units, the team that finished in third place had a very intriguing, non-Israeli participant.
Aaron Jarine Rafael, otherwise known as Taylor Gang, a Catholic from Filipino descent, was among the team representing the Nahal infantry brigade who came in third.
Rafael chose to join the IDF when he was 18 and joins a long line of illustrious IDF combat soldiers who hail from foreign countries.
Being born to diplomatic family, Cpl. Rafael did not have to serve, but choose to do so in spite of many difficulties that stood in his way. As evidenced by the results of his team competition placement, he is thriving as a combat soldier.
Rafael’s father works as a driver for the Japanese Embassy to Israel. The family lives in Herziliya, and he was born in Israel. While not Israeli, he has always considered Israel his home.
“I saw how everyone serves in the military, and I also wanted to contribute,” Rafael explained in an interview with the IDF press corp.
Rafael was originally denied citizenship after applying when he was child in third grade. Due to his particular situation, obtaining citizenship was quite difficult amid the formidable Israeli bureaucratic system. Due to his persistence, Rafael managed to obtain citizenship almost ten years later in 2013.
Rafael became a combat soldier in spite of his low medical profile , and again had to fight his way through the bureaucratic side of the IDF, this time in order to finally achieve his dream.
And achieve it he did.
image: http://www.breakingisraelnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/aaron-rafael-filipino-catholic-idf.jpg
Nine months ago, Cpl. Aaron Refael joined the Nahal Brigade. Since then he has completed advanced combat training and made his way among his newfound peers. He expressed that he feels no different than the other soldiers and that he has had no problem integrating into his unit in spite of his minority background.
He is the only combat soldier out of his group of friends from Herziliya. “Specifically in the army, we see the equal and fair treatment of minorities (in Israel), all of whom come from a variety of different backgrounds,” Rafael stated.
Through his service in the IDF, Cpl. Rafael has come to recognize just how essential the military is for the existence of the State of Israel, as well as the people of Israel, a place where everyone can feel accepted and is treated the same, regardless of their heritage or background.
Read more at http://www.breakingisraelnews.com/34379/idf-diversity-how-a-catholic-filipino-became-an-idf-soldier/#f35prcek82U2ZPlz.99
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