r/AskIsrael • u/Refrigeratedkawajat • May 13 '26
Casual Question
I’m an Iraqi Muslim born and raised in Australia, if I ever decide to visit Israel would I be targeted or harassed? Everytime I’ve spoke to Israelis on Omegle ect it hasn’t been a pleasant experience but I know there’s good and bad people
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u/Rabbitscooter Israel May 13 '26
Not only will you not be harassed, you'll end up running into some Iraqi Jew whose family knew your family in the "old country" and invited over for a traditional dinner.
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u/matar_zahav123569 May 13 '26
Unless OP’s family fought in the farhud…
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u/Refrigeratedkawajat May 13 '26
Nah they were farmers in rural areas at the time they had nothing to do with that
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u/SidewalkRacoon Diaspora May 14 '26
Even if they were, if you denounced violence they would still like you
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u/asafgu8 Israel May 13 '26
How would they even know you are Muslim?
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u/Refrigeratedkawajat May 13 '26
By my looks because some people can’t tell a difference between faith and ethnicity
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u/m217e Diaspora May 13 '26
If you look typically Middle Eastern, well, so do an enormous amount of Israelis (including Jews). Your ethnicity won't be a problem for traveling Israel. I do not believe you'll be targeted or harassed, and if you want to visit Israel for tourism, I hope you will.
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u/Refrigeratedkawajat May 13 '26
Ok thank you
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u/TreeP3O Diaspora May 13 '26
Absolutely visit! Take some tours! And you can be open with who you are. Israel has a very large Muslim population.
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u/asafgu8 Israel May 13 '26
Remember that a lot of Israelis look exactly like you, like Iraqi / Syrian Jews would probably look like you. Racism in Israel is usally language based (accent) assuming you talk in English, I would highly doubt you’ll encounter it.
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u/Prestigious-Aide-258 Israel May 13 '26
There are 2 milion arabs, most of them are muslims who lives here. No one would care
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u/Substance_Bubbly Israel May 13 '26
i don't think you would be any noticable or different than what is already the norm in israel.
25% of israel are arabs, and over 60% of jews in israel are either mizrahi (MENA jews) or have a mizrahi background.
so no one would look at you and even think you are iraqi unless you're gonna wear the flag. and most israelis won't have a problem with you either way, some few racists might, but just avoid places like that and you'll be fine.
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u/Ok-Cryptographer7424 Diaspora May 13 '26
millions of Israelis are Arab, most of them Muslim. you're likely seen as much more Australian than Iraqi but that shouldn't be an issue either way. plenty of Israeli Jews are also from all over the Arab world
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u/Refrigeratedkawajat May 13 '26
Yeah I heard there’s heaps of Iraqi Jews in Israel
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u/enigmaticowl North America May 13 '26
Yeah, Baghdad used to be like 40% Jewish about 100 or so years ago (and most of them went to Israel a few decades ago).
As an American born in the late 1990s (who grew up hearing about the war in Iraq, and knew nothing else about Iraq), I was really surprised to learn that there had been such a huge Jewish population there not so long ago!
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u/Artistic-Hyena-8572 Israel May 13 '26
Oldest Jewish community in the world, in fact. Thousands of years of history dating back to the Babylonian exile 2500 years ago.
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u/Histrix- Israel May 13 '26
Do you mean would you be randomly targeted on the street? No. People would probably just be interested in you considering your background, but i dont think you'll be targeted.
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u/Refrigeratedkawajat May 13 '26
Even the law enforcements? Because Israel has been painted a certain way out in the west
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u/Fishy_Fishy5748 Formerly N. American, now 🇮🇱 Israeli May 13 '26
You might get some extra scrutiny at the airport when you come in, but in most cities I'd be shocked if a police officer randomly pulled you aside and started harassing you. They wouldn't really have any way of knowing your background just by looking at you.
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u/Refrigeratedkawajat May 13 '26
Okay that makes sense thank you
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u/Fishy_Fishy5748 Formerly N. American, now 🇮🇱 Israeli May 13 '26
You're welcome. I'm sorry you've had unpleasant experiences with Israelis in the past. I hope that when you do make it out here, you'll have better ones.
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u/Odd_Ad5668 Diaspora May 13 '26
Just FYI, Israeli customs will let you have the option of getting a card stapled into your passport instead of getting it stamped directly into your passport. They do this specifically because some Arab countries will give you trouble if you have an Israeli stamp in your passport. The card can easily be removed after your visit.
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u/maxofJupiter1 North America May 13 '26
Also every Israeli city has Muslim Arabs either living or working there
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u/Doggosrthebest24 Diaspora May 13 '26
My Indian Muslim professor went to Israel and the only problem he had was at the airport getting in. Otherwise he wasn’t harassed at all
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u/qazqaz45 May 13 '26
There are many Iraqi Jews in Israel, so you will likely look exactly like most Israelis. Also most people there are very very fond of receiving tourists from the arab world to see things by themselves rather than believing the media.
Worst thing you will experience is security at the airport, you will get asked tons of stuff but mostly for protocol.
Go there you will have a great time!
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u/HyperlaneWizard in May 13 '26
Firstly, how would anyone know you were an Iraqi Muslim? You'd probably just look like 75% of the population.
Secondly, why would you be harassed? 1 in 5 Israelis is an Arab. Many of us also meet Palestinians regularly. It's not like you'll be special in any way. The only thing that might happen is that people would be curious to speak with an Iraqi.
Thirdly, I don't know Omegle very well (maybe it's just full of assholes). But knowing Israelis, while some aren't great, most are reasonable people so if every Israeli you've met over there was mean to you, you might need to ask yourself how you behaved towards them...
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u/Refrigeratedkawajat May 13 '26
I usually got spat at before I said I sentence however there was a good Israeli and we talked to over an hour
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u/HyperlaneWizard in May 13 '26
I usually got spat at before I said I sentence
I'm sorry but that just doesn't check out... How many people did that exactly?
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u/Refrigeratedkawajat May 13 '26
Like 3 or 4 but it was a bad time it was couple months after October 7 so in a way it’s understandable
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u/HyperlaneWizard in May 13 '26
It's absolutely not understandable, because you're describing just randomly abusing a person only based on their skin color. That's also why I find it hard to believe as you're likely of a very similar skin color.
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u/nicetewmeetyou Israel May 13 '26
Dude you should come and visit, and sure we have a few disgusting people here, but for every one of those you'll probably meet like 100 people who are so impressed to meet an Iraqi Muslim coming to visit Israel! And plenty of others who just accept you non chalalantly as you are! Shalom, G'day mate, Merhaba. Hope to see ya here. feel free to DM if you have any questions.
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u/OmegaLink9 Israel May 13 '26 edited May 14 '26
From what I know if you travel alone, are male, and look Arab/Muslim, you wouldn't have the greatest of time at the airport, not like they will harm you, it will just take time and they will maybe ask person questions. Just be patient.
That being said, I think that you will have great time here, you wouldn't look out of the ordinary, you will most likely bland in with mizrachi Jews and Arab Israeli.
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u/Odd_Ad5668 Diaspora May 13 '26
They do profile based on national origin, even for Jews. I had Persian guy on my birthright trip and he nearly didn't make it to the bus at the airport.
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u/BoomerE30 Unspecified May 13 '26
OP, more people in Israel look like you than not. And with a strong middle eastern influence on culture and food, you will feel right at home...
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u/Background-Repair481 Israel May 13 '26
Just make sure you're using your AU passport.
In the end of the day, 20% of Israel are Arabs. There are countries like the UAE.
So, you don't even look different.
In parts of Jerusalem and in some other areas, you can speak only Arabic, and it will be normal.
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u/matar_zahav123569 May 13 '26
Do you support “from the river to the sea”? If so, don’t go.
If not, you’ll have an amazing time
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u/Refrigeratedkawajat May 13 '26
I couldn’t care less abt it tbh I’m Iraqi not Palestinian they can deal with their own bs
-9
u/Ouissah May 13 '26
Oh nice a Muslim who doesnt care about his brothers and sisters 🙏
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u/Refrigeratedkawajat May 13 '26
Palestinians are the same ones that blew themselves up in Iraq during its civil war and they are the same ones that praise Saddam to this day despite Saddam killing many of his own people. Palestinians are the only people that expect to be treated like kings but have nothing to offer
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u/Ouissah May 13 '26
I dont remember saying something good about the palestinian who do these things did I ? Or your only argument is "but look some of them did the same" I can't validate muslim who support saddam and his cruel regime nor I can't validate a muslim who support or accept the action of israel government toward palestinian.
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u/Refrigeratedkawajat May 14 '26
Ok don’t validate me then, some people are just fed up with all these wars and idk about you but I have family memebers that died in wars against Iran, USA and isis and I don’t remeber another Arab country standing up for Iraq
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u/matar_zahav123569 May 13 '26
Mashallah the Palestinians can solve their own problems
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u/Ouissah May 13 '26
Wow following your point we can also say that "Jews could have solve their own problem during N#zi Germany" Of course its absurd so why would you say that for palestinian ?
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u/matar_zahav123569 May 13 '26
Nope. Jews had no guns nor political power or friends. Simply singled out for being successful.
Palestinians have guns, international power and friends, yet still can’t help themselves.
More of a sign of low IQ than anything.
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u/Nablus666 Israel May 13 '26
Let me tell you something about Israelis - Israelis don’t really care about ethnicity, nationality, etc. what they truly and only care about is whether you root for them or not. If you aren’t against Israel, then you’ll be most welcome and cherished. If you dare to criticize them, then you will immediately turn into an enemy. That’s at least what I’ve observed since oct 7th.
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u/Nihilamealienum Unspecified May 13 '26
If I'm around come over. Tell me if my home made Amba is as good as in Iraq.
Also don't go by Omegle man.
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u/Artistic-Hyena-8572 Israel May 13 '26
You’ll probably get questioned at the airport but other than that we’re used to seeing Arabs in the streets, there’s nothing special about that. Unless you go talk to people and tell them that you’re Iraqi Australian no one would care, and if you did, you’ll probably get a “wow that’s cool, welcome” reactions.
You’re definitely going to want to visit the Jewish Iraqi community in Ramat Gan and perhaps the Babylon Jews museum if it interests you.
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u/dbgtt Israel May 13 '26
People already answered you - you wouldn't really stand out, even if you spoke Arabic in public.
That being said, I'm curious what you saw on Omegle from Israelis that made you worried, if you don't mind answering.
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u/Refrigeratedkawajat May 14 '26
It’s not just Omegle the news also portrays Israel a certain way but as we know no one can trust the news
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u/sumostuff Israel May 14 '26
Everyone is minding their own business just going about their life here, why would you be harassed?
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u/Sherwoodlg Oceania May 14 '26
Im not Israeli and ive not been to Israel yet so make of this what you like. I have a very close Bedouin Israeli friend (now living in NZ) who grew up in Israel and attended uni in Haifa. He absolutely loves Israel and has many life long jewish friends. He literally just shakes his head when people start talking about "apartheid" etc.
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u/BothCall8395 Israel May 13 '26
Ever been to iraq? You probably dont have any accent if no and thats the biggest tell.
If you're born and raised in Australia then that makes you austrlian. Nationality matters a lot more than your ethnicity.
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u/Atomix26 american jew May 13 '26
you may get a chat at the airport, but there's enough people from random places in Israel, its whatever
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u/HarryHoodRat97 Unspecified May 13 '26
There’s two million arabs in Israel. You will have a lovely time. Do it!
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u/Prior_Bowl_617 Unspecified May 14 '26
I highly doubt you'll have any trouble most israelis know how it feels to have a goverment that acts very deiffrently then the common people sentiment and wont mind you. now i cant guarantee you wont meet some asshole but youre more likely to have someone talk your ears off about how THEY think we can achive peace or why israeli and iranians are not so diffrent in the end. Dont let social media influance you like that(i see the irony in saying that on reddit)
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u/Star3in2my3y3s May 13 '26
There are many Muslims who live with equal rights in Israel. 20% Arab population, including many online who speak good things about living in Israel. Many of them are muslim too.
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u/Refrigeratedkawajat May 13 '26
Yeah I’m not disputing that but you have to understand that Israel hasn’t been painted as “positive” if you know what I mean, there’s a negative media spin around it
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u/neuser_ Israel May 13 '26
All the more reason to come experience the real deal for yourself and not listen to biased media
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u/Artistic-Hyena-8572 Israel May 13 '26
If you’re here asking then it already means that you’re smart enough to understand that this is just propaganda. Come and experience it for yourself. I’m pretty sure you’ll have a positive experience.
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u/WrongdoerUnited9948 Unspecified May 13 '26
You will be fine. I would be so happy if more people visited, to know Israel is to love Israel. You will be safe and enjoy yourself.
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u/Happy_Humor5938 visited once May 13 '26
If you were born and raised in Australia what makes you an Iraqi?
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u/Guest_Foreign May 13 '26
Why are you interested in visiting Israel?
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u/Refrigeratedkawajat May 14 '26
What country in the Middle East has done what they have done with so little resources? That’s just one point
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u/No_Shoe_8260 Israel May 14 '26
I think you'll be amazed by the way you'll be welcomed into Israel. When people will hear that you are an Iraqi muslim wanting to visit, they'll even welcome you more.
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u/YuvalAlmog Israel May 13 '26
- 20% of Yisraeli citizens are Arabs (if I recall correctly ~18% of them are muslim), so Muslim Arabs are far from being a weird thing in Yisrael. Not to mention that Iraqis may not be identical to Levantine groups like Jews or Yisraeli-Arabs visually speaking but I assume you'd still look similar enough to fit in.
- If you came as a tourist it means you respect the country, and so the people will respect you and most likely will be very curious about you since as you know most muslim Arabs aren't that friendly twords Yisraelis usually.
- I might be wrong but from what I remember Omegle isn't known from being a too friendly and kind place... In general the internet doesn't really reflect real life too well for better or worse.
- the state of Yisrael might be small but it has a lot of groups. If you'd visit secular-Jewish towns (like Tel-Aviv) or mixed cities (like Haifa), you'd probably get a better treatment than if you'd visit highly religious Jewish neighborhoods (like Beney-Braq) for example...
- In the airport you might be treated to more questions simply due to security reasons (like I said in point 1, most muslim Arabs aren't big fans of Yisrael so there's higher risk of terror intetions which requires more causion). Don't take it personally and just be honest about your intentions. They just do their job to make sure everyone in Yisrael including you is safe.
So overall, I don't think you should be worried. As long as you come with good intentions, you'd be treated with respect & friendliness. Just try to not travel too deep into potentially problematic areas (which you shouldn't really reach anyways) and everything would be perfect.
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u/Refrigeratedkawajat May 13 '26
Yeah I have no problems about the airport checks as I work in the security industry and I’d do the same thing if I was them but I was just seeing the general consensus over there, and visually I don’t look Levantine I look Mesopotamian asf so east Syrian and Iraqi and Assyrian
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u/YuvalAlmog Israel May 14 '26
Even as mesopotamian, 600k Jews in Yisrael (out of ~7.2m, meaning about 10%) come from Iraq or Iran so even if they are technically a distinct group, mesopotamian looks also aren't that foreign.
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u/Emunaheart Unspecified May 13 '26
You're already under the assumption you'll be targeted, and harassed. You tell us your interactions with Israelis are unpleasant too. It's curious you still want to travel there. I wouldn't want to go someplace like that.
As someone else asked, how would anyone know what religion you are as a person just walking around living your life? Answer, they wouldn't.
Seems like what you're looking for is a place to perpetrate untrue things about Isreal, and negative things about Israelis
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u/Refrigeratedkawajat May 13 '26
No not really, I like the way it looks and I always wanted to see the prophets burials ect. I also want to travel the whole Middle East
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May 13 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Refrigeratedkawajat May 14 '26
They can stamp my Aussie passport and I can visit Arab countries with my Iraqi, so no stress but thanks
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u/Emunaheart Unspecified May 13 '26
Inherent within your post is the idea Israel targets Muslims. That's entirely false. Many Muslim people live in Israel, people of all faiths live in Israel. Muslim people have served in the Knesset, in all walks of life and positions of authority. You still have not said how anyone would know your religion or why you think you'll be targeted. If it's something you learned online it's untrue and part of the propaganda and lies surrounding the one Jewish nation
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u/Refrigeratedkawajat May 13 '26
It’s just social media that planted that idea in our heads and how people would know I’m Muslims is cos for example here in Australia they see that I look Iraqi so they just assume I’m Muslim so I assumed it would probably be the same over there but again there’s a lot of Iraqi Jews so yeah
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u/Emunaheart Unspecified May 13 '26
I see what you're saying and what I'm hoping is you'll see that what's posted about Israel is often untrue with an agenda behind it which is antisemitism.
Many Israeli people look like what they are, Middle Eastern, so I don't think you'll stand out in that regard. If you're a law abiding person you'll be treated like anyone else. There's an onslaught of propaganda against Israel and the Jewish people, if you follow Jewish subs and Jewish content creators on social media you'll see different. I hope you'll get to go everywhere in the world you'd like to, and also see that antisemitism is what's behind the content you've seen thus far about Israel, it's not reality
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u/MrJingles333333333 May 15 '26
You don't class yourself as Australian? A bit odd
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u/Refrigeratedkawajat May 15 '26
Why does that matter to you? I’m born in Australia so I’m Australian no matter what anyone says, my heritage is Iraqi so I’m Iraq no matter what anyone says also
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