A Kurdish Voice on Israel and Hope

In a world where standing with Israel is increasingly met with resistance, Alan Wali stands tall—unshaken and proud.

Alan Wali proudly displays the Israeli flag, together with the Kurdish flag in Germany (Photo: Alan Wali).

I first met Alan, a Kurdish man living in Germany, at a pro-Israel conference in Stuttgart. His passionate, articulate support for the Jewish state left a lasting impression—not just on me, but also on my Israeli colleague. Amid a crowd of voices, Alan’s clarity and courage stood out.

Our paths crossed again more recently at his wedding, where I was warmly enveloped in the unmistakable charm of Kurdish hospitality—a generosity that speaks of a people steeped in resilience and dignity. Yet, my first brush with Kurdish life had come much earlier, in Eastern Turkey, where I had traveled to assist during the devastating earthquake. Even then, I sensed the silent, simmering reality that Kurds in Turkey were marginalized—unwelcome in Erdogan’s vision of the nation. The Kurdish struggle for independence is one I’ve long felt a deep empathy for. Stateless yet proud, the Kurds have fought for recognition, identity, and sovereignty. What strikes me most, however, is remarkably open embrace of Israel displayed by a lot of Kurdish people—a rare and courageous stance in a region where anti-Israel sentiment is becoming increasingly mainstream.

Holding up the Kurdish flag at an Israel solidarity event in Stuttgart, Germany (Courtesy: Alan Wali. Stuttgart, May 1, 2025).

Curious to understand the roots of this solidarity, the personal convictions behind Alan’s bold voice, and the Kurdish perspective that defies popular narratives, I sat down with him for a candid and heartfelt conversation.

(PL: Paushali Lass; AW: Alan Wali)

PL: Alan, please tell us a bit more of who you are and what you do.
AW: My name is Alan Wali. I come from Kobane, in Rojava Kurdistan (Syria), and I am of Kurdish descent. Professionally, I work as a lifeguard and am an active member of the German aid organization DLRG (German Life Saving Association). I also participate in various international rescue missions through other global organizations. Politically, I am engaged with the CSU (Christian Social Union) in Kitzingen, Bavaria, where I contribute locally. At the same time, I represent the Kurdish party PDK (Kurdistan Democratic Party) on a European level, working toward greater visibility and support for the Kurdish cause.

PL: How long have you been living in Germany?
AW: I fled to Germany in 2015, as the brutal war against the Kurds and other minorities tore through my homeland—driven by the horrors of ISIS (Daesh) and relentless Turkish bombings. It was heartbreaking to leave my family behind, unsure if I would ever see them again.

PL: What was the hardest part about leaving your homeland?
AW: It was incredibly hard to leave my life, my family, and all the memories behind—my olive trees, the pistachio fields, my village, and my childhood. I had to leave my family behind—a pain that continues to this day. The hardest part was the loss of my maternal grandfather, who died in 2015 due to torture in Assad regime prisons.
To this day, we cannot even visit the gravesite of my grandparents. A piece of my childhood was buried with them. I lost many friends and relatives in Kobane due to the IS war and Turkish bombings. Even today, it is life-threatening for us to return to our homeland. The fear is ever-present. Ten years after my escape, sadly, little has improved. I still receive messages from Kobane reporting that another family member has died due to attacks or airstrikes.

Alan, seen here as a guest with His Excellency Masoud Barzani, former President of the Kurdistan Region and Leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, in Erbil, Kurdistan, September 24, 2022.

PL: There is somehow a lot of misunderstanding and ignorance about Kurdistan. Can you shed a little light for us?
AW: For me, Kurdistan is not just a geographical term—it is my homeland, my identity, and my soul.
I am convinced that the future of the Kurdish people is only possible in partnership with strong regional and international allies—including Israel, with whom we share values like freedom and democracy. The history of Kurdistan is marked by suffering, oppression, and loss of identity—very similar to the history of the Jewish people.
Today, the Kurds are divided among four states: Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Syria—and have faced exclusion and oppression for centuries, even though we are one of the oldest peoples in the region. I believe that open dialogue, cultural exchange, and mutual political support can help remove misunderstandings—especially between Kurds and Jews. We have much in common. Our peoples share deep pain, but together, we have the power to transform that pain into hope.

PL: You actively support Israel. Why is that so important to you? What does Israel mean to you?
AW: I’ll be honest with you—my heart is heavy with sorrow when I think of our two peoples. The Jewish people endured the Holocaust—one of the darkest tragedies in human history. Yet, they rose from that unimaginable pain, founded a state, defended their existence, and preserved their dignity. This pain—and that unwavering will to survive—moves me deeply as a Kurd. We too are a people displaced, stripped of our identity, and often forgotten. Our pain echoes theirs. Our hopes are the same. Our rights are the same. When I look at Israel, I don’t just see a state. I see a reflection of our own dream—a Kurdish state still waiting to become reality. I see hope shining through the darkness, a sign that a new beginning is possible—even after the deepest wounds. My solidarity with Israel is no political calculation. It is an expression of shared pain, of human dignity, and a moral duty. It is a firm and clear “No” to hatred and injustice.

PL: Are you afraid of your pro-Israel stance in Germany?
AW: Yes, I am sometimes afraid—especially in times when antisemitism and anti-Israel agitation are on the rise in Germany.
I have received many hate messages and threats. Once I had received a message that was so hurtful that I couldn’t sleep at night out of fear for my family. But I do not regret my stance. Standing up for justice, humanity, and against hate is, for me, not a political decision, but an ethical one. It is an expression of my conscience, essentially of who I am.

PL: How do Kurds view Israel?
AW: As in the rest of the world, there are different opinions about Israel among the Kurds. There are many who are in solidarity with Israel—like me. But there are also some who are critical of Israel. What distinguishes us from many others I am seeing on our streets and on social media is our respectful way of dealing with one another. We live in an open society and try to persuade through arguments and dialogue, not coercion.

Kurdish solidarity with Israel is championed by Alan Wali and his Kurdish friends in Germany (Photo: Alan Wali).

PL: What is your wish for the future of Israel and Kurdistan?
AW: I wish both peoples peace, security, and mutual respect. I hope the strategic partnership between Israel and Kurdistan will continue to grow, becoming a bridge for peace and cooperation across the Middle East. For Israel, I wish for a strengthening of democratic values, continued stability, and a diverse society living in peace with its neighbors. For Kurdistan, I hope for unity and independence—free from foreign interference, where our culture, identity, and language can flourish freely. I see Israel as a strong partner supporting the Kurdish people and helping to secure regional stability. On a personal note, I look forward to visiting Israel someday soon—to see the country with my own eyes and connect with its people.

PL: I do hope and pray that you can visit Eretz Israel soon and experience its warmth and history.

AW: Thank you very much.

The author seen here with Alan Wali and Israeli Yair Jablinowitz. Stuttgart, May 1, 2025.

Alan Wali’s story is not just one of survival, but of courage, clarity, and conviction. At a time when standing with Israel often invites hostility, he chooses solidarity over silence—rooted in shared pain, and in a shared dream of freedom. His voice, like that of many Kurds, breaks through the noise of hatred with a message of dignity and hope.

As I listened to him, I couldn’t help but think: the dream of Kurdistan, like the rebirth of Israel, is not a fantasy—it is a future waiting to be built. And it will be voices like Alan’s that help shape it.

We look forward to a new Middle East—where minorities live free, identities are honored, and the long night of oppression finally gives way to dawn.