Jonathan Elkhoury Says He Has Joined Israel’s Diplomatic Cadet Course

Jonathan Elkhoury, a Lebanese-born Israeli public diplomacy advocate, announced on Sunday that he had joined the Foreign Ministry’s diplomatic cadet program. He said he began its political track that week and was the first member of Israel’s South Lebanon Army community to enter it in this capacity. Elkhoury described the move as a continuation of his family’s history and its alliance with Israel. “I am proud to represent my country officially,” he said. Before entering the course, he spent almost 13 years advocating for Israel internationally, assisting former South Lebanon Army families in Israel and working in the media. Born into a Christian family in Lebanon, Elkhoury came to Israel at the age of nine. His father served in the South Lebanon Army, which cooperated with Israel in southern Lebanon. The family fled after Hezbollah threatened his father. Elkhoury said 36 candidates were accepted from approximately 2,000 applicants, with 26 joining the political track and 10 the foreign-administration track. The cadets come from communities stretching from Rosh Hanikra to Eilat. Their professional backgrounds include architecture, script supervision, publishing, special forces, media and senior civil service.