“From the time I was a boy I felt very connected to Israel. Leaving my family and friends in Peru was not easy, but I felt that Israel was my home. I am really proud to be serving in the army and protecting my country.”

Joel Jabiles (23) grew up in a very Zionist environment in Lima, Peru. He attended Jewish day school until the age of 17, and was an active member in the Young Zionist (Hanoar Hatzioni) youth movement. More