Young, dynamic, and vibrant, Havtam is never at a loss for words. This strong personality, full of charisma and confidence, proudly represents Israel, her country, which she defends passionately through Hasbara (explanation) on social media. Since the outbreak of the war in Israel on October 7, Havtam has refused to remain silent in the face of a flood of online hatred and has managed to silence the most anti-Zionist voices with her well-constructed arguments. Highly followed on social media, Havtam works tirelessly to convey the truth about Israel. Originally from Ethiopia, she made aliyah at the age of one with her family. Today, she embraces her dual culture, her belonging to the Ethiopian community, and her skin color, which have shaped her identity. Portrait of an atypical young woman with a strong character.
At 25 years old, Havtam lives in Or Yehuda in central Israel. Upon her arrival in 2001, she was given the Hebrew name Efrat (Efi), but during her military service, she realized the importance of preserving her roots and chose to be called by her birth name "Havtam," which appears on her ID card. This awakening has stayed with her, making Havtam a true warrior fighting for the reputation of her country, which she steadfastly supports despite the challenges.
"The aliyah from Ethiopia was one of the most difficult in terms of integration, as it is a population that worked in the fields, with few qualifications and a very different culture. The cultural gap between my parents and me is enormous because I grew up here," says Havtam.
When the war broke out on October 7, Havtam, like most citizens, was deeply shocked and traumatized; she admits she didn't go out for the first two weeks.
"As Israelis, the scenario of a terrorist invasion is something that terrifies us and has always been our worst fear. When it happened, even though I live in the center, it shook the sense of security we had. We were completely stunned, feeling helpless. I contacted the army to serve as a reservist; I wanted to feel useful, but they didn’t need me. So, I took action in my own way by creating content on social media," explains Havtam.
Hasbara on social media
Before her service in the IDF, Havtam had studied content creation, so she continued in this direction, launching into Hasbara and debates, particularly on Tiktok, in order to deconstruct the arguments of anti-Semites and anti-Zionists.
"In the early days following October 7, on the Instagram page of the Ethiopian community 'Hoodnews,' which shares humorous posts, they published a video of an Ethiopian-American comedian mocking Ethiopian soldiers. She did it in a very clever way, also addressing the issue of contraceptive injections given to Ethiopian women making aliyah. It’s a trauma that doesn’t present us in a good light, and she used it in the most cynical way possible. I was extremely upset because she chose to talk about this subject during a time of war, when there were other moments to do so; the two stories were completely unrelated. I decided to respond to her, and that’s when everything started," the young woman recounts.
Havtam's response went extremely viral, and she gained popularity; today she has nearly 8,000 followers on Instagram and is very active on TikTok.
"Suddenly, I realized that I was doing something positive for my community. I managed to make a contribution, and that’s fantastic. I gained 800 followers on TikTok, and the platform put me into the algorithm for war and Hasbara posts. I then started posting videos about the war to show the reality on the ground", she explains.
Quickly, Havtam began to rise on TikTok and started doing live streams, a new challenge for someone who isn’t used to speaking in front of the camera. But Havtam understands that she needs to address those who promote hatred toward Israel directly. She is also invited to participate in many debates on TikTok in English.
"I immediately felt at home on this platform, which gave me the opportunity to explain the situation in the most accurate way. I participated in debates that are broadcast on TikTok and open to communities of Israelis from Eilat, Canada, and the USA, as well as to people who support us, like a pro-Israel Iranian, for example. During these debates, we touch on sensitive topics. The panels are very open and include people who have been part of the Mossad, as well as Israeli Arabs and personalities from around the world who are trying to change the narrative through dialogue and break down stereotypes," says Havtam.
Restore the truth
In February, Havtam was hired by Creator Lab and produced several videos about the situation in Israel. One of them was made against pro-Palestinian propaganda, featuring her friends, most of whom are migrants from Ghana, the Philippines, Nigeria, Eritrea, Congo, and South Africa, many of whom have served in the army.
"I want to reach as many young people as possible. As Israelis, we must love our country, even when it doesn’t return that love. Like everywhere else, we all have a lot to say about racism, both toward the gay community and Arabs. The country isn’t perfect, but we need to love it. Despite everything happening, it is the safest country for Blacks in the Middle East; even migrants have a better quality of life compared to other countries," she asserts.
Havtam claims that the "online racism from pro-Palestinians," who call her "dirty Black" or "monkey," doesn’t affect her, because "they're the same ones who say Israel is a racist country and that we should support Palestine," she says.
"I take screenshots of their messages and use them during my debates. For example, I explain to African Americans how pro-Palestinians are and what they write about Black people: these are my keys to showing the true face of those who support Palestine. Many Afro Americans who have experienced segregation side directly with the Palestinians, but that's not the best thing to do. If they knew how Black people are treated in the West Bank or Gaza, they would change their minds immediately. Our role is to bring the truth to light," she says.
In the coming months, Havtam is set to travel to the United States to engage in Hasbara with students on campuses, explaining to them that what they see on social media is anti-Israeli propaganda.
Havtam's Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/blacknjewish/
Caroline Haïat
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