Lebanese Refugee to Israeli Diplomat: Jonathan Alhori Closes Emotional Circle
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Jonathan Alhori, an Israeli advocacy activist who fled Lebanon as a child, has begun the diplomatic track of the Foreign Ministry's cadet course. He is the first former South Lebanon Army (SLA) member to enter the program, which accepted only 36 out of 2,000 applicants. Alhori sees his new role as a continuation of his family's alliance with Israel and a personal fulfillment of his life's journey.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Jonathan Alhori, a Lebanese refugee and advocacy activist, began the Israeli Foreign Ministry's diplomatic cadet course.
- Alhori is the first former South Lebanon Army (SLA) member to join the diplomatic program.
- He fled Lebanon at age nine with his family due to threats from Hezbollah.
- Only 36 out of 2,000 applicants were accepted into the prestigious cadet course.
- Alhori views his new role as a continuation of his family's historical alliance with Israel.
Jonathan Alhori, an Israeli advocacy activist born in Lebanon to a Christian family that fled the country, has begun the diplomatic track of the Foreign Ministry's cadet course. Alhori, who was nine years old when his family escaped to Israel as refugees due to threats from Hezbollah against his father, announced his acceptance into the prestigious program. His family's escape was a consequence of his father's service in the South Lebanon Army (SLA), which collaborated with Israel. Alhori stated that joining the Foreign Ministry is a direct continuation of his family's story and the alliance formed between Israel and SLA members in southern Lebanon. He described the bond as a 'brotherhood' for a shared goal of peace and good neighborliness, now realized by the next generation in Israel, which he considers his 'official and unwavering home.'
After nearly 13 years of public advocacy, assisting SLA refugee families in Israel, and media work, Alhori expressed his excitement and pride in officially representing Israel as part of the Foreign Ministry's diplomatic team. He noted that only 36 candidates out of approximately 2,000 applicants were accepted into the cadet course that began this week. Of these, 26 were admitted to the diplomatic track and ten to the foreign service-management track. Alhori highlighted the diverse backgrounds of the new cadets, including professionals from various fields and regions across Israel.