Israel First TV Programme 2 - Jewish Refugees From Arab Countries - Linda Menuhin Abdul Aziz

Israel First TV Programme 2 - Nathalie Blackham speaks with Linda Menuhin Abdul Aziz. Linda serves as a commentator in Middle East Affairs both in Israeli and Arab media. Entrenched in the Arab culture, she reinvented herself in Israel, rising from an Iraqi refugee to a senior journalist. Her unique background, accentuated by a worldwide network, provides her with an unprecedented scope of understanding both Arab and Israeli cultures. Having positioned herself on the seam line, between Israel and the Arab world, she provides a new perspective, often ignored by the media, yet indispensable for understanding the misconception between Arabs and Israelis. Her writings are essential for policy makers aiming at resolving the conflict. She has won a media prize from the Next Century Foundation for outstanding contribution for peace in the media. Throughout her career, Linda had the opportunity to influence public policy, primarily through her work at the Ministry of Public Security and the Union of Local Authorities where she served as a spokeswoman. Previously, she had worked as a Senior Journalist working with The Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA) and eventually she embarked on a mission to educate both Israelis and Arabs on the conflict and one another. She writes tri-lingual opinionated columns and articles in the Arab and Israeli press. Linda fled from Iraq to Israel when she was in her 20's. Her father, an Iraqi Jew was a highly respected attorney in Baghdad when he was abducted in 1972 by the notorious Iraqi State police or Mukhabarat, never to be heard from again. Despite her personal tragedy, she became a relentless activist for peace. She gained her B.A in Islamic Culture, Arabic and English Literature at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Linda is the recipient of a prestigious scholarship from the Wexner Foundation and holds two masters degrees, one from the Kennedy School of Government in Public Administration and the other in Mass Communications from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. To contact the Programme email: info@israelfirst.org