Israeli police stand guard as bulldozers demolish houses in Umm al-Hiran, a Bedouin village in the Negev not recognized by the Israeli government, on January 18, 2017. Photo by Menahem Kahana/AFP
“I may be Bedouin, but above all, I am a human being and an Israeli citizen.”On Oct. 7, 2023, Youssef al-Ziadna found simple words to describe his bravery before the Council for Unrecognized Bedouin Villages. Awakened by an alarm at dawn, just hours after dropping off nine partygoers at the Nova music festival, the bus driver, who lives near Rahat, in the Negev desert near the Gaza Strip, returned to the scene and rescued 30 Israelis amid gunfire, screams and bloodshed as Hamas launched its “Al-Aqsa Flood” operation against Israel.Thirty Jews. Their religion did not matter to him. “In my whole life, I have never made distinctions between people. It’s not of interest to me,” he said at the time.Al-Ziadna became a national hero, received honors and was even invited to light a torch during Israel’s 2024 Independence Day ceremonies. The...
“I may be Bedouin, but above all, I am a human being and an Israeli citizen.”On Oct. 7, 2023, Youssef al-Ziadna found simple words to describe his bravery before the Council for Unrecognized Bedouin Villages. Awakened by an alarm at dawn, just hours after dropping off nine partygoers at the Nova music festival, the bus driver, who lives near Rahat, in the Negev desert near the Gaza Strip, returned to the scene and rescued 30 Israelis amid gunfire, screams and bloodshed as Hamas launched its “Al-Aqsa Flood” operation against Israel.Thirty Jews. Their religion did not matter to him. “In my whole life, I have never made distinctions between people. It’s not of interest to me,” he said at the time.Al-Ziadna became a national hero, received honors and was even invited to light a torch during Israel’s 2024 Independence Day...
7 p.m. recap: Houthis strike Riyadh airport again; Yemeni forces claim Bab al-Mandeb gains; Abbas postpones Palestinian polls