"During our first ever flight when I was four years old, I held my father's hand and told him - I want to be like her," Merach Kara from Daliyat al-Karmel told the Hebrew website Ynet.
The Druze population makes up around 1.6% of the Israeli population, with some 143,000 people, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics. While other Arab citizens of Israel do not have to serve in the IDF, there is required enlistment for Druze and Circassian men. Because of this, Druze and Jewish Israelis have a bond, colloquially know as the Covenant of Blood. In the past year, this bond was challenged, when many Druze were upset by Israel's Nation-State Law.
Besides for being a minority, Ynet reported that Kara experienced other difficulties to get her dream job. According to the report, in Druze culture it is rare for a woman to fly alone, let along work on a plane. However, Kara said her family was very supportive.
“They’re aware of the hardships of my work... but they accept it," she said.
"Merach is very brave, and I love her stubbornness," her father told Ynet. "We're proud that she chose to work at El Al. It's part of us and it's important that she chose this path. I wish her all the luck in the world, and I'm sure she can achieve whatever she puts her mind to.”