ByGIORGIA VALENTE/THE MEDIA LINE

JUNE 16, 2026 14:55

Updated: JUNE 16, 2026 14:56

When Herut Davidson shares posts in Arabic, she anticipates some reactions will include insults or claims of bias. Yet others reach out quietly, even from places where ties to Israelis stay restricted, noting that an Israeli Jewish woman using their tongue has shifted their views on Israelis.

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Davidson works as an Israeli content maker with over 90,000 followers on TikTok under hurriya.it.is.me and on Instagram as hurriya.its_my_name. Her goal stands out amid rising tensions: addressing Arab viewers straight in Arabic amid conflict, divides, and rival accounts that have heightened regional distrust.

Her clips form part of a delicate effort at open regional talks that expanded following the Abraham Accords yet faced trials after the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, and the ensuing Gaza conflict. For her, Arabic serves beyond mere words. It acts as a method to question assumptions, ease worries, and cross gaps that official talks alone fail to bridge.

Her drive traces back well before online platforms, rooted in her early surroundings.

“I believe it all began growing up in a small community in the West Bank, within the Shomron region,” Davidson shared with The Media Line. “There I had to grasp events around me, and I lived them daily.”

“I aimed to offer a genuine take on events, such as noting I head to shelter due to incoming rockets,” Davidson explained. “It represents a basic reality many Israelis face often.”

October 7 Largely Overlooked in Broader Talks

One issue that concerns Davidson most involves October 7 fading from much of the wider discussion.

“October 7 seems absent for many, while October 8 draws focus instead,” she noted. “Soon after the morning assault, some began posting about Israel striking Gaza or other actions, overlooking basic details of the initial events.”

She observed that numerous online contacts lacked grasp of the war background or its effects on Israeli life.

“Viewers often miss the lead-up and ongoing elements, seeing only later developments,” she added.

Davidson highlighted the hostages held in Gaza, with some online saying they had not known of the reported deaths, captures, and assaults tied to October 7.

“After sharing a clip on the severe acts by Hamas that day, several replied it marked their first awareness of those events,” she said.

Her handle “Hurriya” also sparks notice, as it translates to freedom in Arabic.

Davidson clarified the choice stems not from politics but from her Hebrew name Herut, linked to the Passover festival rather than any party ties.

“My Hebrew name is Herut, given by my parents since I arrived on Passover,” she explained.

That holiday marks liberation in Hebrew tradition, and the Arabic form holds matching sense for her.

Davidson Stresses Value of Arabic Study

A core point from Davidson urges more Israelis to study Arabic practically, beyond school requirements, as a tool for everyday interactions. This idea helped spark her online activity.

“Posting clips online also served to highlight for Israelis the value and feasibility of learning Arabic,” she stated.

Her outreach targets Arab groups but extends to Jewish Israelis, framing Arabic as a local tongue that eases daily strains and fears.

She noted language aids trust in a nation where Jewish and Arab residents coexist nearby yet stay apart socially. Israelis benefit from Arabic due to the local Arab population and the country position in the Middle East.

Davidson described early exposure to strain and complexity that prompted deeper interest in surrounding communities. From a religious background, she opted for national service over military duty after school, as some religious women do.

Her initial service year took her to Jaffa, a mixed area offering new social insights unlike her prior setting. This provided an early close look at Arab life inside Israel.

The experience drew her to Arabic, which she came to view as entry to culture, faith, homes, and community.

She pursued Middle Eastern and Islamic studies at Shalem College in Jerusalem, gaining spoken and formal Arabic from Palestinian and Jewish instructors. This altered her daily life in Israel.

“It proved transformative,” she said. “Knowing Arabic truly shifted how I experience Israel.”

Arabic Holds Complex Role in Israeli Life

Arabic occupies a layered spot in Israel. It appears often among Arab citizens and in east Jerusalem or West Bank and Gaza areas, yet few Jewish Israelis master it for casual use. Davidson said this divide fuels unease in routine spots like buses or stores.

“Prior to learning Arabic, hearing it in public spots like transit made me wary,” she recalled. “I assumed talk involved me or hinted at harm, tied to the shared Israeli sense of past events.”

Grasping the language reduced its edge and added human touch. She mentioned chatting in Arabic with a pharmacy worker, who grew at ease and interested.

For Davidson this shows real bridge work. She sees Arabic not as fix for the Israeli-Palestinian issue but as aid to lower fear and grow confidence.

“It holds power to shift things and ease many aspects,” she said. “Big issues stay, yet daily life turns markedly better.”

Though her Arabic path predated October 7, the attack and war turned her skills into a public effort. Attackers killed around 1,200 in Israel and took 251 hostage that day per Israeli counts. The following campaign against Hamas brought wide damage to Gaza, where local health figures report nearly 73,000 deaths.

“My efforts began earlier, yet October 7 turned them toward social media steps,” she said. “I held the language already, as it matches my core beliefs.”

Post-attack, Davidson felt called to apply Arabic for sharing her stance with Arab-speaking viewers. Narrow portrayals of Israel in regional and global coverage troubled her more.

“As a young Jewish woman I need to apply my Arabic for my take on events,” she said.

The shift hit when she noted how Israel appeared in foreign talks, above all in Arab media spaces.

“The moment I knew action was needed came after October 7, seeing global blame on Israel, especially across Arab regions,” she said.

She argued many saw only one angle and missed daily Israeli concerns from rocket threats.

A trip to the United Arab Emirates showed her how ties can grow when open contact occurs. She went to Abu Dhabi for the third International Dialogue of Civilizations and Tolerance Conference, run by Women Champions for Change, and noted the ease of stating her Israeli origin in a Muslim nation.

Davidson felt energized by prospects of genuine ties in a Muslim country where she could claim Israeli identity openly.

“The chance thrilled me,” she said.

The UAE visit offered broader regional promise.

“It gave hope for links with the Arab and Muslim worlds,” she said. “Ties with Israel can form, and joint steps become possible.”

Contrast in Openness Versus Limits Elsewhere

She compared that access to hurdles elsewhere. Lebanon bars normal ties through rules like the 1955 boycott law, raising legal risks for citizens in public dealings with Israelis.

Davidson put those curbs plainly.

“Lebanon bars talk with Israelis by law,” she said. “Just conversation counts, without further acts or visits.”

Her online exchanges show both sides: pushback and quiet backing. Some Lebanese users privately praised her peace comments yet could not tag or team up openly.

“We viewed the clip and felt excited, grateful for the share and peace wish,” she recalled them noting. “We seek the same but cannot tag or collab due to bans, though support holds.”

Davidson aims for respect in culture and faith alongside words. A recent mosque clip served to show regard for Islam while inviting reciprocal interest in Jewish ways.

In Abu Dhabi she met creators from the UAE and Bahrain. She valued their willingness to appear with her despite possible regional pushback.

“I respect their courage to voice views against much of the Arab mainstream,” she said. “It means a lot when a Muslim joins my page and allows a tag.”

Such meetings would have seemed unlikely before the Abraham Accords.

“This feels fresh, as it could not occur six years back,” she said.

Social Media as Arena and Opening

Davidson sees social media as both arena and opening. She said standard media keeps people reliant on top stories, while these tools let individuals address others directly.

The access brings strain. Creating during conflict weighs emotionally, as clips require handling harsh material and shaping public messages.

“It proves very tough,” she said. “At times stress overwhelms, leaving little drive to craft a clip on current events while managing personal strain.”