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The journey from the village to diplomacy • Meet Israel's ambassador to Paraguay, Amit Mekel Madalit El Carmel

(Hai Fe) - Amit Mekel, 44 years old, born in Dalit El Carmel, is an inspiring figure who combines Druze, Israeli identity, and international diplomacy. His story begins with an ordinary childhood in a Druze village, but his personal journey led him to become the ambassador of Israel in Paraguay, with fascinating stops all over the world.

Already at the age of 14, Mekel began to exceed the limits of his natural environment, when he moved to Haifa to study at the "Hogis" school. After graduating from high school, he served as a commander in the paratrooper unit for nearly five years. At the end of the military service, he turned to academic studies. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in diplomacy and strategy at Reichman University, went on to a master's degree in diplomacy and security at Tel Aviv University, and is currently doing a doctorate in medical management and diplomacy at Claremont University in the United States.

In a special interview with 'Hai Fe', Mekel talks about his impressive diplomatic career, the transitions, his personal choice and legacy and the book "Journey to Israel". Mekel began his path in the world of diplomacy already during his academic studies, and was immediately captivated by the field. After completing his degrees in diplomacy, he passed the screenings for the cadet course at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and from there began a fascinating and challenging diplomatic journey.

First stop Cairo

His first mission was in Cairo, where he served as part of the Israeli embassy team. The period was stormy, full of violence and riots, which led to the evacuation of his house and his family - his wife Keren and their son Alon, then a toddler. The second stop was Brazil. In Sao Paulo, he served as vice consul general for three years. "It was an extraordinary experience," he recalls. "There I met a large Arab community of Syrian and Lebanese origin, numbering about 10 million people, alongside a thriving Jewish community. The good relations between the two communities were inspiring."

After the mission in Brazil, Mekel continued to the position of political advisor in the Israeli delegation to the European Union and NATO in Belgium. Upon his return to Israel, he served as deputy director of the department for relations with European entrepreneurs, with an emphasis on the ties between Israel and NATO.

Amit Mekel with the President of Paraguay in Jerusalem (personal album)
Amit Mekel with the President of Paraguay in Jerusalem (personal album)

A few years ago he moved to the United States, where he served as the deputy head of the mission to the west of the country. "At the beginning of the mission in the United States, I led the relations with elected officials, members of Congress and senators," he says. "After the seventh of October, my focus shifted to building relationships with different communities, with an emphasis on the Latino community. The work was intense and challenging, but provided a deep sense of mission."

His impressive progress led to the fact that about three months ago he was appointed Israel's ambassador to Paraguay. His appointment took place against the background of a historic event in which Paraguayan President Santiago Peña arrived in Israel, inaugurated the Paraguayan embassy in Jerusalem and delivered a speech in the Knesset. "This was an important landmark for Israel-Paraguay relations," he proudly concludes.

The choice to marry Keren, his Israeli wife, Yehudia, was one of the most significant and complex junctures in Amit Mekel's life. In the Druze society, where tradition and the continuity of the community are at the center, this choice raised quite a few questions and reactions. "For many years it was difficult for me to talk about this issue," he shares honestly. "It was the hardest decision I made in my life, but in the perspective of time I know it was also the best decision for me."

Mekel emphasizes that despite the unusual choice, his love for the Druze community and the appreciation he has for it remain deep and unwavering. "Even today, when I represent Israel abroad, I emphasize that I am part of the community, and the community is part of me. I went with my inner truth, and despite the prices, I am completely satisfied with the decision, even after 20 years."

New family tree

Mekel's last name also changed, as a testimony to the personal and family journey he chose to lead. "I was born with the name Amit Makalda," he explains, "but when my eldest son, Alon, was born, I realized that I wanted to raise my children with a clear Jewish and Israeli identity. We felt that we were building a new family tree, so I decided to shorten the name to 'Makal.' A significant choice that marked the path we chose as a family."

With insights gathered along the way and a strong belief in his choices, Mekel serves as an example of a person who is not afraid to follow his heart, while combining his roots, his Israeli identity and his commitment to his family and his children's future.

Amit Mekel presents President Yitzhak Herzog with his new book "The Journey to Israel" (photo by Amit Zarok)

About the book "The Journey to Israel"

Mekel began writing his book "The Journey to Israeliness" out of a desire to document the personal journey he went through in his life. "Already in December 2009 I started writing about the processes I experienced, but only two years ago I decided to turn these materials into an organized book," he shares. Mekel talks about the intense writing process: "For two years, every day, I got up at five in the morning and went to a cafe near my house in Los Angeles, where I dedicated myself to writing. My goal was clear - to create a book that would provide tools and insights to people who are at similar junctures in their lives as I am experienced, and will help them deal with their choices."

The book describes Mekel's journey from his childhood in the village, through the move to Haifa, military service, studies, choosing his wife Keren, raising the children, life outside of Israel, representing the country in the world, and up to the shocking events of October 7th. Each chapter in it reflects the path that shaped his life and tells his unique story as part of the complex Israeli identity. The book was launched about two weeks ago.

Looking ahead

With his appointment as Israel's ambassador to Paraguay, Mekel continues to represent the country professionally and with a sense of mission. "I believe in the ability of Israelis from all sectors to unite and overcome the challenges together. The human material in Israel is extraordinary, and I am proud to be a part of it."

Amit Mekel is more than a diplomat - he is a living bridge between cultures, ethnicities and identities, who tells the complex and beautiful story of the State of Israel.

contact: At watsapBy email

Samar Odeh - Carantinji
Samar Odeh - Carantinji
Journalist in the team of correspondents of the Chai Pe site • Municipal reporter, crimes, environment and health Contact Samar by email: [email protected]

Articles related to this topic

13 תגובות

  1. Dear Assi, the nationality law does not discriminate against anyone in the Jewish state, the opposite is true, the Arabs and Druze receive affirmative action in all universities, which Jewish soldiers do not receive, the nationality law must not be changed even by a comma for anyone in the world, this is the state of the Jewish people and that is how it will remain and whoever does not If he always has the Arab countries, they can move there

  2. That the Druze, and especially Rafik Halavi, who comes from the city of Aleppo in Syria, stop threatening us because of the nationality law, there is no connection between the nationality law and the military service of any of the religions, this is a Jewish state, it was established as such and especially for the Jewish people, there is one Jewish state and that is how it will remain, there is no issue here of equality, what with the fact that Rafik Halabi worked for many years at Channel 11, the Israeli channel in a Jewish state, it is enough to threaten the state with the military service of the Druze Those who don't want to serve are doing themselves no favors, after all, they also protect their families as well as the Jews who protect the state and their family

  3. Amit and Hag Orim Foundation Happy Holidays, a good month and a new and challenging civil year! We wish you success in your important mission to represent our country and our wonderful country in Paraguay, a land from which we were born at the time after a two-year mission that left us with very pleasant memories. They went up and succeeded and gave warm greetings to those Ashram. They forgot us in the Jewish community, in the former MSHB recipients and the citizens of the Paraguayan-Israel Institute of Culture.

  4. I would love to meet the esteemed "author" - Mr. "Amit Mekel" = an "interesting" person!!!@@@
    Interested in purchasing "the book": "On the road to Israeliness"...
    *And I will add: Passing Through-True
    BEAUTIFUL HAIFA
    😭🙏✨️🤗😇

  5. Morning "New Year" = 2025!!!!!@
    May you be "blessed" to "Kollelllalnu"... and "Kollelllalna"...!!!!!@@@@@
    We got to know this morning the "beautiful Druze" in the literal sense: "the wise"... "the ambitious"... "the successful"..."the brave" & "the impressive" - ​​in every "consideration"...@
    "Arise! Arise! And the success - the success"... in whatever you "turn your face for the sake of the State of Israel"... = "human virtue - first in •°"!!!!!@@@@@

  6. All the best to him, huge pride, they want to see you in the Knesset, it's fun to see such young people that a large part of them don't know, good luck to you man

  7. Interesting, fascinating and inspiring and without a doubt this is a person with talents and greatness of mind, good luck

  8. Amit is an example and role model for beautiful Israel, a gifted diplomat and a man of values. Great honor to know him. Kobe

  9. inspiring It is only a pity for the treatment of the Druze, who are a loyal community and the nationality law discriminates against them. Shame on the leadership.

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