Israeli Arab Goes Viral With 328 One-Minute Videos
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
For the past 328 days, Nuseir Yassin has been traveling the world – from Nigeria to Myanmar, the Philippines to Mount Fuji – making daily one-minute videos that shine a light on the people, places and passions he comes across: good, bad and in-between.
The style and format – quick cuts, an engaging delivery and snappy subtitles – have helped make the videos go viral. Some of his mini-films have earned 25 million views.
“I just wanted to do something that felt meaningful,” Yassin, 24, an Israeli-born Palestinian and Harvard graduate who goes by the name Nas. “I realized that I’d lived 32 percent of my life and there was so much more I wanted to do.”
He wears a t-shirt bearing an image of a battery charger showing 32 percent of life complete.
In the early stages, Yassin felt his videos were sometimes touristy – “look at this place,” “how cool is this?” – but now he structures each more carefully.
In recent days, he has explored the social gaps between Israeli Jews and Israeli Arabs, efforts to bring both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict together via culture and security issues in Israel.
“I’ve learnt how amazingly flexible people are,” he said. “I’m enjoying it.”—Reuters
I’m personally matching all gifts to the Forward, up to $36,000. Can I match your gift now?
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
