The ex-IDF paratrooper who could replace George Santos as the Republican in Long Island: Mother-of-seven Ethiopian refugee who fled to Israel at 12, signed up to fight and then moved to the U.S. and got into politics

If you thought Long Island Republicans would play it safe in finding a replacement for disgraced fantasist George Santos, think again.

Instead of selecting a figure from the white establishment, they've chosen a little-known local lawmaker who comes with a big backstory that they think could make him a future star here.

Mazi Melesa Pilip, 44, was born in Ethiopia before moving to Israel, where she served as a paratrooper in the Israeli army.

She ran for office for the first time in 2021 and promised to fight anti-Semitism.

That's the kind of resume that excites party bosses, especially at a time when the conflict in Israel threatens to undermine political loyalty.

“Pilip is an effective fiscal fighter who will prioritize public safety, economic recovery, border security and tax relief in Congress,” Republicans in Queens and Nassau County said.

“She will bring a fresh new perspective to Washington and set her in stark contrast to the nominee for the other major political party.”

Santos was expelled from New York's Third Congressional District due to damning evidence that he had falsified his life story and defrauded donors.

The district went for Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election but flipped Republican midterm last year, making it a prime Democratic target as the party tries to win back the House of Representatives.

Democrats have elected a well-known figure in former Rep. Tom Suozzi, who gave up his seat to run for governor.

But Republicans think they have a potential winner in Pilip.

Born in Ethiopia, she has described growing up without running water in her village.

That all changed when her family fled in 1991 at a time of enormous political unrest in the country. Rebels approached the capital, where a ruthless Marxist government was in power.

Israel launched a covert military operation to rescue 14,000 Ethiopian Jews and fly them out of the country aboard 35 planes in just 36 hours.

One 747 carried more than 1,000 people – a world record.

Pilip and her family were on one of the flights.

“It was beautiful and full of light,” she told the Jewish website Aish. 'When we landed, soldiers helped us and gave us everything we needed. We have started a new life in the most beautiful country in the world.'

Growing up in Israel meant military service. And Pilip spent two years as a paratrooper with the Israel Defense Force, which is now fighting Hamas in the Palestinian enclave of Gaza.

“It was a moment of pride because I felt like I was giving back to the country that had given so much to me and my family,” she said.

She met her future husband while studying occupational therapy at the University of Haifa. He was an American-Ukrainian Jew, which is how she ended up living with him and their seven children in Great Neck, New York.

Two years ago, she said she became aware of rising anti-Semitism and wanted to do something about it. Today she is a Nassau County legislator.

However, there is a wrinkle. Politico reported that she has registered as a Democrat since 2012, although she has often sided with Republican positions.

Her name was linked to Santos' seat as soon as allegations surfaced that he was a fantasist.

His claims include a story that his Ukrainian Jewish maternal grandparents had to flee Germany during the Holocaust. Genealogical records suggest they were born in Brazil.

Pilip said, “WWhat I didn't like was him saying his father is black and his grandparents are Holocaust survivors. My husband's grandmother is a Holocaust survivor. Her family died in Germany. For my husband it's more personal.'

If elected in February's special election, she would join just three Jewish Republicans in the House of Representatives, and the only one of color.