Six Promising Young Arab Leaders Feature in “40 Under 40”

This year’s annual “40 Under 40: The Right Generation” list, published by the Marker on January 1, includes six promising young Arab leaders from a wide variety of fields and backgrounds. The editorial staff comments: “During particularly challenging year for Israel, the title “promising” takes on an even deeper meaning. The individuals featured here reflect not only their personal accomplishments but also the promise inherent in their work—to rebuild Israel and its society and to secure a brighter future for all its residents.” 

See the summaries of the profiles below in the order they appear on the list: 

Att. Rawyah Handaqlu, Head of the Emergency Headquarters to Combat Crime in Arab Society 

Originally from Jatt, a village in the Triangle Area, Rawyah began her journey with an internship at the Adalah Legal Center. She has worked to promote the employment of Arab women and, at the age of 25, ran for city council in Nof HaGalil to influence decision-making and encourage Arab women to step into leadership roles. 

Today, she leads the campaign against crime and violence on behalf of the National Committee of Arab Local Authority Heads, driven by a determination to create a safer society for her children and the entire Arab community. 

“For me, a perfect world is one of equal opportunities between Arabs and Jews, and between men and women—and I will keep working until I achieve that goal, ” shares Rawyah. 

Ameer Bsharat, CEO, The National Committee of Arab Local Councils in Israel 

Bsharat’s work focuses on strengthening Arab society, a mission that has defined his career. After participating in the Cadets for Local Government program, he began working in Rahat’s municipality. His efforts included rehabilitating industrial areas and planning future developments, all aimed at fostering economic growth in the Negev.  

Since August 2023, Bsharat has taken on what he describes as his most challenging role yet – leading the National Committee of Arab Local Authority Heads. Navigating a fraught relationship with the state, he balances pragmatism with assertiveness. Under his leadership, the committee filed a Supreme Court petition against Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich for withholding NIS 200 M in complimentary grants. “Crime in Arab society consumes 60% of our attention, and there’s no end in sight. The reason is simple: the government doesn’t want to address it,” he explains, pointing to systemic neglect that exacerbates inequality and internal challenges. 

Att. Maria Jamal, Co-founder and CEO of Humanity Crew 

Maria, born in Minsk, Belarus, to a family deeply involved in activism, began her legal career in the Ministry of Justice and a private law firm in Israel but transitioned to humanitarian work after a transformative volunteer experience in Greece during the Syrian refugee crisis. This experience inspired Maria and her husband Asam to establish Humanity Crew in 2015, an organization dedicated to supporting refugees worldwide.   

Recently, Humanity Crew has provided counseling, training, and support to schools, youth groups, and therapists in Israel, with a particular focus on the Arab community. The organization also supported Majdal Shams after a missile strike, and established hubs in Nigeria and Uganda to empower local communities to handle disaster situations effectively. 

Jamila Abu Kaaf, Director of the School for Agricultural and Environmental Education, Wadi Attir Project  

Jamila Abu Kaf, from the Bedouin village of Umm Batin, directs the agricultural farm at Wadi Attir, where she trains Bedouin students from across Israel in agriculture and sustainability. The farm is part of the Wadi Attir Project, a unique initiative blending Bedouin culture with innovation and sustainability. Abu Kaf’s work focuses on empowering the Bedouin community, fostering environmental activism, and promoting sustainable agriculture in desert regions by integrating traditional knowledge with modern science and technology. 

With over 11 years of experience in education, Abu Kaf holds a master’s degree from Ben-Gurion University and completed a community work program in Toronto. She is also a fellow at the International Sustainability Lab. Her approach combines environmental conservation, community empowerment, and green technologies to drive social and environmental change.  “My vision is to continue leading projects that connect communities, cultures, and the environment, while training the next generation of environmental leaders who can tackle future challenges with knowledge, values, and social responsibility,” she says. 

Morsi Hamoud, Manager at ICL Producing Food Industry Components 

Morsi Hamoud, plant manager at ICL’s Mishor Rotem facility, oversees 100 employees, but his career path was far from conventional. Growing up in an Arab family of eight siblings in Deir Hanna, Galilee, expectations were for him to pursue a traditional profession like medicine, law, or teaching. However, his passion for chemistry, discovered in high school, set him on a different course. 

Despite initial skepticism from those around him and the challenge of mastering Hebrew, Hamoud persevered, earning a degree in chemical engineering from Ben-Gurion University. During his final year, he completed a standout project at ICL, securing a role as a process engineer in 2007. Since then, he has advanced to lead various roles and now manages the company’s phosphoric acid plant, contributing to agriculture and the food industry. 

“I see myself today as an ambassador for ICL in Arab society,” says Hamoud, who visits towns such as Hura, Kuseife, and Rahat, sharing his story and encouraging others to apply for opportunities: “The doors are open. Don’t hesitate to submit your résumés.” He aims to harness the incredible potential he sees in the Arab sector, which has yet to be fully realized due to hesitations and barriers. 

 Ahmad Muhana, Social Entrepreneur, CEO of Qudra Arab Philanthropic Network  

Ahmad, raised in Umm al-Fahm, initially aspired to become a lawyer to address societal injustices. He earned a degree in law and business administration and served as a parliamentary advisor to MK Ahmad Tibi, gaining insights into state power structures and Arab society.   

Realizing his passion lay in social impact, Ahmad pursued a master’s in nonprofit management and co-founded Amanina to promote social mobility for Arab youth through volunteerism. He later helped establish the Qudra Arab Philanthropic Network, fostering philanthropic partnerships to support critical social initiatives within the Arab society.  

During the war, his work included securing shelters for children in unrecognized Negev villages and expanding mental health services for underserved communities. Despite facing significant challenges, Ahmad remains committed to hope and empowering communities to create positive change.