On this episode of Don’t Know Much About, Dr. Naya Lekht sits down with Michael. His story is gripping, urgent, and, quite frankly, one that must be told. Michael was born in the United States to a Coptic Christian family, but he struggled deeply with questions of identity and belonging. Feeling isolated, he found himself drawn to the Palestinian antizionist movement, where he remained for nearly twenty years. Over time, that involvement came at an immense personal cost. Michael describes reaching a point where he felt he had nearly sacrificed his humanity, and arrived at what he calls a point of no return. After years of research, self-examination, and reflection, Michael ultimately left the anti-Israel movement. Today, he identifies as a proud Zionist, committed to confronting disinformation and advocating for the victims of a cause he once supported. In our conversation, I explore how Michael came to embrace the anti-Israel cause, not only through what the movement appeared to offer, but through what he himself felt he lacked. This distinction matters, as many young people drawn into this destructive hate movement are searching for something deeper: a sense of belonging, purpose, and collective story. We also discuss Michael’s journey into Islam, what he learned along the way, and how those experiences shaped his worldview. Michael has only recently stepped away from the anti-Israel cause, and his reflections are raw, honest, and often uncomfortable. My hope in sharing Michael’s story is precisely that, to illuminate what is uncomfortable. Avoiding difficult truths is a form of complacency, and complacency serves no one. Clarifying the complex. Step into my classroom.
