Jul 3, 2024
Yahya Mahamid is an Arab-Israeli speaker, educator, and Israel advocate. Born and raised in Umm al-Fahm, he initially harbored anti-Zionist sentiments, which were common in his community. However, his interactions with Jewish Israelis significantly altered his views. These experiences led him to embrace his identity as a Muslim Zionist.
Mahamid faced significant backlash from his community after a photo of him holding an Israeli flag went viral in 2014. Despite the threats and ostracism, he continued his mission to promote peace and understanding. He volunteered for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), where he served as a combat infantry soldier, a shooting instructor, and a disciplinary officer. Mahamid also participated in a special delegation to Dubai that contributed to the Abraham Accords.
In addition to his military service, Mahamid works as an educator and speaker with StandWithUs, an organization dedicated to educating people about Israel. He has traveled extensively to speak about his experiences and to combat antisemitism and misinformation about Israel
Up Next in Season 1
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FOCUS ON ISRAEL – Akiva Gersh
Akiva Gersh is an American-born educator, speaker, writer, and musician who has been deeply involved in Jewish and Israel education for over 20 years. He moved to Israel from New York in 2004 and has since dedicated his career to helping people connect with their Jewish heritage and the history o...
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FOCUS ON ISRAEL – Shahar Azani
Shahar Azani is a prominent Israeli-American executive and media personality, recognized for his expertise in diplomacy and international relations. He has held significant roles in public diplomacy, including serving as a spokesperson for the Consulate General of Israel in New York and as the D...
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FOCUS ON ISRAEL – Yuval David
Yuval David is an Emmy-Award winning actor, director, filmmaker, and an influential advocate for the Jewish and LGBTQ communities. He has garnered over 100 international film festival awards for his work in film, television, and digital media. Yuval has played roles in productions for major netwo...