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Source: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-37895021
Israel's Arab Soldiers
(BBC News) Jane Corbin - Mahmud Kashua is one of a growing number of Israeli Arabs who have volunteered to serve in the Israeli army. "I consider myself an Arab and a Muslim but I also consider myself part of this country," Mahmud tells me. "It's our state and we have to give back, to help as much as we can to the state which protects us." Over six months a BBC Arabic documentary team gained extraordinary access to Gadsar - an all-Arab unit of 500 within the Israel Defense Forces. Ten times as many Israeli Arabs - Muslims and Christians - are joining the IDF compared to three years ago. "Ten people from my town are serving in the army now. I have friends who want to enlist," says Mahmud. "I encourage everyone to join - to improve his or her life and look to their future."