First in Knesset Guard History: A Druze Officer Will Serve in the Knesset

Ali Shami, 48, won the tender for the position of permits officer in the Knesset Guard and will attend an officers' course with the Israel Police. Upon completion, he is expected to become the first Druze officer in the Guard's history. Shami has served in the Guard since 2001, starting as a guard in the external security unit, moving to the intervention force, serving in the inspection department, and recently serving as documentation and communications coordinator in the permits and information reliability department. In his new role as head of the permits division, he will be responsible for the department's daily operations, team leadership, supervision and control, representing the department, managing information systems, and liaising with external parties. The Knesset Guard Commander, Nitzav Yuval Chen, welcomed the selection, saying it recognizes Shami's professional path and that his being the first Druze officer is a personal achievement and a moment of pride for the Guard. Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana also welcomed it, saying Shami's story is one of dedication, perseverance, and service to the State of Israel, and that the appointment expresses the deep partnership of the Druze community in the state. The Knesset Guard views the appointment as an expression of values of service, professionalism, and promoting employees from within the system.