Sara Zoabi: "I'm an Arab, a Proud Zionist; Rumors Spread That I Converted"

'I'm an Arab, Muslim, Israeli, proud Zionist', this is how Sara Zoabi (43), a mother of two from Upper Nazareth, introduced herself to the judges of the popular cooking show, 'MasterChef'. "There was even a rumor that I converted because I wear a cap. Isn't that funny?" The judges were intrigued, and it was clear that Sara piqued their curiosity even before they tasted the dish she prepared. 

When one of the judges asked about her definition of 'Zionist', Zoabi responded: "Being a Zionist means believing in the Jewish people's right to have their own country. That country is Israel, the Holy Land. I'm sure people hearing me will say, 'Are you crazy? How can you say you're a Zionist?' I want to tell all the Arabs in Israel to wake up. We are in paradise; compare us with any Arab country – we're in paradise. Personally, I have no other country and no other flag. With all due respect to my nationality, that doesn't mean it's betrayal. I haven't harmed anyone."

Sara Zoabi. Credit: 'Mako' site

The judges were astonished, but Zoabi continued. "Where is there a better place than Israel, tell me? Can I do in another country what I do here? I'm sure that if you tell one hundred percent of Israeli Arabs, 'Come, we'll put you in the territories and give you your citizenship', no one would agree," Zoabi said. "I may be targeted for saying this, but I truly believe we have no better place than Israel," she added. 

Muhammad Zoabi

So, where does she find the courage to speak so freely, in front of everyone? Of course, from her son, Muhammad Zoabi, who sat in the audience. Does the name sound familiar? It's not without reason. Muhammad Zoabi (yes, the cousin of Knesset member Hanin Zoabi) became a sensation after expressing support for Israel during Operation Protective Edge. "I am the mother of the Arab teen Muhammad Zoabi, whose life was threatened and who they wanted to kill because of his views," Zoabi said, adding, "Before Operation Protective Edge, when three teenagers were kidnapped, my son, being human, took it very hard." In response, he posted a video supporting Israel on Facebook. "We paid a very heavy price. Very. We were attacked, many friends cut ties with us, even family. I am proud of my son. I educated my son to love people as people and not to differentiate between Jew and Arab. We are all human beings."