The Copt advocating for Israel

Michael Gamal, a Coptic Egyptian pro-Israel influencer known online as Koptic Kaparah, recently visited Australia for the first time. During his trip he paid his respects at the Bondi memorial in Sydney alongside fellow pro- Israel non-Jewish activists Rawan Osman and Ali Beikzadeh.

Gamal then ventured down to Melbourne for a panel discussion with Jewish-Australian influencer Courtney Cohen, speaking about creating positive change online at an event hosted by community hub Shelanu.

After nearly 20 years as an anti-Israel activist, Gamal now spends his days educating others on the dangers of antizionism and Palestinianism. After the October 7, 2023 attack in Israel, Gamal began questioning his long held beliefs and in April 2025, he posted his first public video detailing his transition from an anti-Israel pro-Palestinian activist to a Zionist advocate.

Gamal grew up in the United States to Egyptian Coptic Orthodox immigrant parents and even converted to Islam during his heyday as an anti-Israel activist. Today, he’s considered an ex-Christian, ex-Muslim Coptic advocate.

Initially anxious to post public videos of himself, having previously believed that “Jews ran the world and that they would ruin my life”, Gamal now regularly speaks at events around the world and reaches over 60 thousand followers across social media platforms.

“My material isn’t really meant for Jews and Israelis … Most of my content is actually made for the Arab and the Muslim to listen to it to understand what’s actually going on, because they live in an echo chamber of lies, conspiracy, libel, and it’s my job as somebody who is from that part of the world to give them the truth, even though they don’t want to hear it,” Gamal told The AJN.

During his visit, Gamal was shocked at the level of security outside Jewish synagogues and venues, something he’d never encountered before.

“The questions that I was asked, it was almost like you’re getting on an El Al flight … I think Australia has a worse antisemitism problem than the United States,” he said.

Speaking to The AJN, Gamal urged the Australian Jewish community to be unapologetic about their vision going forward and encouraged the global Jewish community to be prouder of their civilisation and contributions to others.

“I think what needs to be done is you guys have to stress that you’re indeed a Middle Eastern people … You have to wear your Zionism and your Judaism like a crown,” he said.