University of Haifa law student Reem Tibi spent nearly a year in the IDF reserves, leaving him forever changed. In this candid conversation with American Society of the University of Haifa, Tibi talks in depth about his army service, how he managed to still complete his exams, and why he has no plans to rest in the near future.
What are you studying at Haifa and what made you want to enroll there?
I’m currently in my second year studying law. I enrolled at the University because I heard only good things about its law program and I also love the city of Haifa itself — I like the people and what it represents. I had no interest in moving to, say, Tel Aviv or Be’er Sheva because only in Haifa can you live in a big city where Christians, Jews, and Muslims live in harmony, where we all care and interact with each other. In Haifa, you have the mountains, nature, greenery, beaches — you can’t get all of that in another urban city in the country.
You’ve spent a big portion of the past year in reserve duty. How has the war affected you?
Since October 7, I woke up to a different reality where I feel like I don’t see things the way other people do. When the news broke, I knew I’d be in uniform right away and I was right. I was called up at 9 a.m. and was at my base by 1 p.m. I served along the northern border for seven months, but I’ll never forget that morning. When I saw the news on my phone, I felt my stomach hit the floor. As a Golani soldier, I was based in several communities along the northern border and my fellow soldiers did our best to tune out whatever the news was saying and chose instead to rely on each other. We just focused on doing our job, which is easy to do when you know what you’re fighting for.
After those seven months, I came back home for finals and then a few weeks later was called back up and served in Gaza for 2 and a half months.
What was your experience in Gaza like?
My experience in Gaza was more extreme. Even though I spent less time in Gaza than the northern border, it was more intense — we conquered a village and every moment was filled with tension. We were only allowed to sleep four hours a day and even then we had to watch over our fellow soldiers. Every moment felt like we were on the brink of death. There’s evil in that place and we were surrounded by people who didn’t want us alive. Yet, I tried my best to not do to them what they’d like to do to me. The IDF has very strict rules of engagement and I’m proud of my service.
That’s a long time of service. What got you through it?
I knew I was doing this for the people of my country. I have mixed emotions, of course. During my service, I experienced a lifetime of feelings — from joy, to sadness, to fear, to stress — if a human can feel it, I experienced it. But that time in service has certainly clouded how I see things today. For example, now that I’m back in school, I’m in awe that my fellow students can sit in lectures and not be distracted by intrusive thoughts; that they can drink a cup of coffee and enjoy the taste. On one hand, I’m proud that they are able to go through life with this kind of ease because it means that my fellow soldiers and I did our job well. I served so everyone else can be at home with their families and have a normal life.
How did you fare in your studies considering your service was so demanding?
After my time in the north, I went straight into exams. I embarked on an intensive study marathon and eventually I passed every test and didn’t need to redo a single one. I finished the semester with an average of 82, which is not bad.
I’m grateful that I had Alex Feigleman in my corner — she works at the University and is responsible for overseeing reserve students. Some students got more help than me, but I feel like I got the right amount of support I needed. I don’t want to find excuses or blame anyone and Alex helped me a lot.
What’s it been like being on campus especially during this complex time?
Many people have opinions on campus that are different from my own and I try not to engage or get into a conflict with them where I have to explain myself. I want to do the best for everyone — even people I disagree with because the IDF’s purpose is to defend everyone in Israel regardless of their ethnic or political background. Many people have said things that are shocking to me, but it’s not my job to judge them, rather I need to focus on how I can articulate my own position. Yes, the campus is tense at times. But that’s academia, everyone can say whatever they want.
What’s next for you after you graduate?
Right now, I’m working part time as the head of the night shift as a security guard in an oil plant in Haifa. I also have a girlfriend, so I don’t sleep much. I’m not one to sit around and do nothing, so I’m always busy. I think the ages between 20-30 are the most important in your life. You have boundless energy, why waste it? I want to maximize this period and save as much money as I can.
As for my short-term plans, I hope to have an internship in real estate law next year but I have 2 and a half years until I graduate to really figure things out.