Very few people know the story of "B." – which has been kept a secret for years and can only be revealed now using fake names and blurring certain details, due to real concerns that he could be recognized by people and friends who knew him as a child in Iran.
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Those same friends could never have imagined that he would one day serve in Israeli intelligence, certainly not in Unit 8200.
B. was born in Iran and, in his own words, had a completely normal childhood. "As a kid, you grow up in a certain environment and get used to it – even if it isn't natural. I grew up with Jewish and Muslim friends. Jewish identity and prayers were important to me." Those close to him knew he was Jewish. "I wouldn't announce being a Jew, but those who knew – knew."
In high school, he says, he encountered antisemitism from a teacher. "During one of the tests, my teacher said something racist toward me – he tried impeding my ability to take the test, shortened my time and was disturbing me. I remember complaining and was surprised when he was reprimanded."
At home, B. spoke Persian and he knew no Hebrew at all. When he was living in Iran, he says, he didn't follow current events from Israel. "Some relatives were already there, but most of the time we didn't think about the country; it was far from us."
Several years ago, B. and his family made the difficult but obvious decision to follow the Zionist dream and immigrate to Israel. They didn't tell anyone they were flying to the "Zionist entity" – which could have put them at risk or even cost them their lives. When B and his family arrived in Israel, they went through a challenging period.
"Getting acclimated was particularly hard – a new culture, new language, new life." He had left his life in Iran behind. "I had good friends in Iran, but sadly I am no longer in contact with them."
Learning Hebrew was complicated, but the most difficult challenge came when his father was diagnosed with an illness upon arriving in Israel. There were economic struggles as well. "You can't take a lot of money and stuff with you from Iran – we left an entire life behind."
Despite the trials and tribulations, leaving an old life behind and getting used to a new one, B had no doubts about joining the IDF. "I need to contribute and to safeguard my people. It was clear to me, and to my family, that I would enlist, and they are proud of me for it."
When he enlisted to the Military Intelligence Directorate's Unit 8200, he was astounded by the intelligence world.
"All of a sudden I looked at Iran from a completely different perspective. Unit 8200 is home – my commanders were there for me, understood the difficulties with the language and backed me up. In 8200, I feel I am truly involved in critical work for the security of the country."
When asked to describe his feelings when looking at Iran from the Israeli perspective, he says: "The situation there isn't good. It's sad for me to see it. To look at Iran from both sides is a tremendous opportunity – once as someone who lived there, and now as someone who researches it. "
B views his mission as important to Israel but also to Iran. "First and foremost I'm defending the Jewish people, but am also protecting the people of Iran." B is an outstanding soldier and on Independence Day will receive the President's Award. "It's thrilling. If you would have told me back then in Iran that I would get the President's Award, I'd have laughed."
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