Druze National Service Volunteer Manar Halabi Honored by Israeli President for Intelligence Work

Manar Halabi from Daliyat al-Karmel is set to receive the President's Excellence Award this month for her national service in the Israeli Police. Her intensive role in the intelligence department involves monitoring social media content, combating incitement, and identifying real-time threats, primarily analyzing Arabic-language posts to detect potential security risks. Halabi describes her motivation as a desire to engage in meaningful work beyond conventional frameworks, leading her to this unique position at the intersection of technology, research, and intelligence.

During periods of heightened tension, her work becomes especially critical as the volume of content to monitor increases, sometimes requiring immediate alerts to relevant authorities. A pivotal moment for Halabi was presenting her work at a professional conference to senior officials, which reinforced her sense of purpose and the importance of her contributions.

Despite facing skepticism and criticism from parts of her Druze community and family, Halabi remained committed, emphasizing the need for self-confidence to overcome external doubts. The President's Excellence Award is a rare honor, bestowed on only a few from thousands of national service volunteers, recognizing both visible and unseen efforts.

Looking ahead, Halabi aspires to continue advancing her career and education, aiming to make a significant impact in the future. Reuven Pinsky, CEO of the National Civil Service Authority, praised her as part of a pioneering group of Druze women contributing actively to society and national security. Minister Orit Strook also commended Halabi's exceptional dedication, professionalism, and leadership, highlighting her role as a model for thousands of young Israelis serving in civilian national roles and underscoring the societal resilience and mutual responsibility her service represents.