Unlike most emergency workers called out that day, Warraqi is a Muslim Israeli Arab. Warraqi is a volunteer for Zaka, a non-governmental rescue and recovery service. "I saw families, they were slaughtered, a lot of families," Warraqi told Reuters, standing next to his ambulance. "Our religion, as a proud Arabic Muslim Israeli guy, I'm saying that has nothing to do with our religion," Warraqi said. Warraqi is still hopeful that Jews, Arabs, Christians and Muslims can learn to live together in Israel, saying "we are all the same".

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Persons: Jamal Waraqy, Israel Perlshtein, Eli Berlzon, Jamal Warraqi, Warraqi, Be'eri, they're, Krisztina, William Maclean Organizations: Be'eri, Reuters, Hamas, Thomson Locations: Rehovot, Israel, Israeli, Zaka, Gaza, East Jerusalem