Nael Zouabi, a school principal from northern Israel, has become one of the most prominent pro-Israel voices in the Arab media since the war began. The article says that after more than 20 years as a respected school principal, he has taken on a leading role in Israel’s public diplomacy, appearing in more than 800 interviews with Arab outlets since the outbreak of the war.
In recent video clips circulated online, Zouabi speaks directly to Arab audiences in fluent Arabic and argues that the real enemy is not Israel. He says, “Israel does not want to be in Lebanon, not in Syria and not in Yemen. Israel wants to be within its borders and protect its citizens, and that is exactly what it must do.” He adds that people in the Arab world must understand that “the enemy is not Israel.”
Zouabi also directs his criticism at Iran, which he describes as the main source of instability and terrorism in the Middle East. “The real enemy of the Arab states is Iran,” he says, claiming that Iran is present in Arab capitals, including Beirut and Damascus, and is also active in Yemen and Iraq. He says Iran does not respect the sovereignty of Arab countries and has destroyed Syria, dividing it into twenty parts.
He closes with a message that Israel seeks peace and security for everyone in the region. “Israel wants peace, and I say that with complete confidence,” he says. “We want to live in the Middle East in complete security and in peace for all the people of the region, Jews and Arabs alike.” The article frames Zouabi’s repeated appearances as a major asset for Israel’s messaging during the war.
