Amira al Hayb (, ; born in 1985) is the first female Bedouin-Arab soldier to serve in a combat role in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Aside from the IDF, al-Hayb also served in the Israel Border Police.
Biography
Amira al Hayb was born in Tuba-Zangariyye in the Upper Galilee. Her family moved to Wadi Hamaam when she was a few months old. At the age of 19, al Hayb decided to join the Israel Defense Forces. While the recruitment of male Bedouin is common in Israel, this was considered taboo for women. Nur al Hayb, "father of the Bedouin soldiers," a disabled IDF veteran from Eilabun village, came to her aid.
Al Hayb had to undergo recruit training twice due to language problems but eventually joined the Israel Border Police. Her position as the first female Bedouin soldier attracted media attention. She has met with many leading figures in Israel, among them the Israeli President Moshe Katsav and the Israeli Chief of Staff, Shaul Mofaz.
Amira's brother, Taysir Hayb, received an 8-year prison sentence for manslaughter in the death of International Solidarity Movement activist Tom Hurndall, but was released after five years.
See also
Elinor Joseph
Women in the Israel Defense Forces
Women in the military
References
External links
An interview with Amira al Hayb (Hebrew)