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More Arab Israelis Join National Service
(Times of Israel) Dov Lieber - A fast-growing community of young Arabs are eschewing decades of anti-normalization with the majority-Jewish State of Israel. Six years ago, only 600 non-Jews served in Israel's national service program, in which participants volunteer for one to two years in schools, hospitals, courts or health clinics. Presently, 4,500 non-Jews are doing national service, including 100 from eastern Jerusalem. Those doing national service receive the same benefits as soldiers, which include $209 monthly, free healthcare, free use of public transportation, and a $2,880 grant at the end of their service for every year served, which can go toward education or buying a home. In addition there is a fully funded, year-long university preparation program available only to native Arabic speakers. Sar Shalom Gerbi, director of Israel's national service, noted that 85% of Arab volunteers find good jobs afterwards. "They want to help their communities and they understand this can also be an entry card into Israeli society."