Lebanese Christian Immigrant Becomes Israeli Advocate, Named to Forbes 30 Under 30
Translated & summarized from Channel 9 by baba
Miriam Younes, a 30-year-old Lebanese Christian refugee who fled to Israel in 2000, has been named to Forbes Israel's 30 Under 30 list for her social media advocacy. Younes uses Arabic and English to share her experiences as a Lebanese Christian living in Israel, aiming to foster understanding and represent overlooked communities. Her family's integration into Israel was supported by teachers, and she is now pursuing a master's degree while gaining millions of online views. Recent government initiatives have improved support for former SLA fighters and their families, addressing long-standing disparities.
The story in 7 lines · by baba
- Miriam Younes, a Lebanese Christian refugee, was named to Forbes Israel's 30 Under 30 for her social media advocacy.
- Younes's family fled Lebanon in 2000 due to her father's service with Israel-backed forces, fearing Hezbollah.
- She uses social media in Arabic and English to share her perspective as a Lebanese Christian living in Israel.
- Younes advocates for the Christian community in the Middle East and former fighters of the South Lebanon Army.
- Forbes recognized Younes based on her extensive online reach, not financial success.
- Recent Israeli government actions have improved housing support for former SLA fighters and their families.
- Younes recently appeared on Lebanese television, a significant shift given past restrictions on contact with Israelis.
Miriam Younes, a 30-year-old Christian woman from Lebanon, has been recognized by Forbes as one of Israel's top 30 talents under 30 for her work as a social media advocate for Israel. Younes's family fled their home in southern Lebanon in 2000, following the withdrawal of Israeli forces, fearing retribution from Hezbollah for her father's service in the South Lebanon Army (SLA), a Lebanese militia supported by Israel. She was five years old at the time and remembers the hurried departure, believing it would be temporary.
Younes grew up in Ma'alot, in northern Israel, where she received support from teachers to integrate into Israeli society. She pursued higher education, earning a degree in journalism from Italy and currently completing a master's in political journalism at Bar-Ilan University. She uses social media platforms to share her perspective on Israel in English and Arabic, identifying as a Christian and a native of Lebanon. Younes aims to present a nuanced view, acknowledging issues like anti-Christian sentiment in Jerusalem and past incidents involving IDF soldiers, while emphasizing the positive aspects of Israeli life and aiming to foster understanding in the Middle East.
Her advocacy gained significant traction after the COVID-19 pandemic when she became one of the first individuals to speak about being a Lebanese woman living in Israel in Arabic. Younes highlights the importance of representing the Christian community in the Middle East, which she feels is often overlooked, and also seeks to bring attention to the plight of former SLA fighters and their families. Her inclusion in the Forbes list was based on her extensive online reach, with millions of views, rather than financial metrics.
Younes identifies with a dual identity as both Lebanese and Israeli, drawing parallels to the integration experience of immigrants from former Soviet countries. She notes that while she feels a strong connection to both cultures, her sisters, born in Israel, have a lesser interest in Lebanon. The article also touches upon the integration challenges faced by the approximately 3,200 SLA veterans and their families who resettled in Israel, primarily in northern towns. Initially, they faced difficulties with state support, with the Ministry of Defense handling SLA officers and the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration managing former soldiers, leading to disparities. However, significant progress has been made, including government funding for housing assistance for former soldiers, a move championed by figures like Naftali Bennett, Yair Lapid, and Aviv Kochavi, and advocated for by Avigdor Lieberman.
Younes also discussed her appearance on Lebanese television, an act previously considered taboo due to laws prohibiting contact with Israelis. She sees this as a sign of changing attitudes in Lebanon, where there is a growing desire for peace with Israel and disarmament of Hezbollah. She expressed hope for international support for the Lebanese army in its efforts against Hezbollah and suggested potential cooperation between the Lebanese and Israeli militaries.