• Arab Influencer's Journey to Pro-Israel Advocacy

  • Mar 10 2025
  • Length: 19 mins
  • Podcast

Arab Influencer's Journey to Pro-Israel Advocacy

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  • Loay Ahmed Alshareef - Arab Influencer and Pro-Israel AdvocateSubject: Analysis of Loay Ahmed Alshareef's transformation and advocacy for Israel.Source: "Arab Influencer's Journey to Pro-Israel Advocacy" by Mala Blomquist, Jewish News Phoenix.Date: May 1, 2024Executive Summary:This article profiles Loay Ahmed Alshareef, a Saudi Arabian social media influencer who, after initially harboring negative views toward Israel and Jews, underwent a significant transformation and now actively advocates for the legitimacy of Israel within the Arab world. His shift stemmed from a personal experience living with a Jewish family in France and deepened through his study of history and theology. He leverages his large social media following to challenge prevailing narratives about Israel and promote peace.Key Themes and Ideas:
    • Transformation of Perspective: Alshareef's story highlights the potential for individuals to change deeply ingrained beliefs through personal experiences and education. His initial hostility, rooted in childhood indoctrination ("This is what we learned at school," he said. "And what I knew about Jews at that time was ‘The Protocols of the Elders of Zion’ and the Egyptian TV dramas that depicted these protocols in telling the world, telling my fellow Arabs and Muslims, just how bad the Jews are."), shifted after living with a Yemenite Jewish family in France.
    • The Power of Personal Connection: The experience of living with a Jewish family, particularly the invitation to Shabbat, was pivotal in challenging Alshareef's preconceived notions. As he states, "That was the moment that I decided to learn from the source, not from the adversaries of the Jews." This underscores the impact of direct interaction and relationship-building in overcoming prejudice.
    • Historical and Theological Arguments: Alshareef's advocacy is grounded in historical and theological arguments, particularly referencing shared figures and historical connections between Arabs, Muslims and Judaism and the Land of Israel. He cites King David's proclamation of Jerusalem as Israel's capital as an example. "In the tweet, I said, ‘The fact that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel is not a decision by this American president, but by the one who proclaimed Jerusalem as the national capital of the Kingdom of Israel, a person that we revere, honor and name our children after, King David. The King of Israel.’"
    • Challenging Dominant Narratives: He directly confronts the prevalent view of Israel as a foreign, colonial entity imposed on the region. He contends that Arabs and Muslims already acknowledge the connection to the region by naming children after figures from Jewish history, pointing out the inconsistency in denying Israel's historical ties.
    • Post-October 7th Advocacy: Alshareef publicly condemned Hamas following the October 7th attacks and defended Israel's right to defend itself, demonstrating his commitment to his pro-Israel stance even amidst heightened tensions.
    • The Role of Knowledge and Truth: Alshareef sees knowledge, facts, and truth as the primary tools for bridging the gap between Arabs and Israelis. "I promised the souls of the prophets that I felt, and sensed, in the land of Israel when I was there, that I would keep doing this mission to bring Arabs and Israelis, Muslims and Jews closer, bridging the gap with knowledge, facts and the truth."
    • Legitimacy vs. Government: Alshareef explicitly states that he defends "the legitimacy of Israel" rather than the current government. This distinction is important, as it allows him to advocate for Israel's existence while potentially disagreeing with specific policies.
    Key Quote:"I believe that theological history is Israel’s greatest weapon, and this is what I do on social media, and this is what I do on different platforms. I defend, not the government of Israel; I defend the legitimacy of Israel."Implications:
    • Alshareef's story highlights the potential for individuals from within the Arab world to become advocates for Israel.
    • His focus on historical and theological arguments provides a unique approach to addressing anti-Israel sentiment.
    • His large social media following gives him a platform to reach a significant audience within the Arab world.
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