One of the participants at this year’s AIPAC policy conference was Izzy Ezagui, a 24-year-old combat reserves officer.

Ezagui lost his arm in a mortar shell explosion but continues to serve as a reservist in special forces for the IDF’s Paratroopers Brigade.

“I go back every year and continue to serve as best as I can,” Ezagui told Arutz Sheva. “I want to go back to Israel. I love both Israel and America, but my plan, G-d willing, is to move back to Israel and raise a family there.”

Ezagui is a motivational speaker who tells his personal story to different audiences.

“I share my message with the people, in the hopes that it will inspire them to do anything that their heart desires,” he said.

(Arutz Sheva’s North American Desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Arutz Sheva articles, however, is Israeli time.)