Israeli Actor Yehuda Levi Reveals Childhood Bullying and Social Exclusion

Acclaimed Israeli actor Yehuda Levi, 47, has publicly shared a deeply personal experience of childhood social exclusion and bullying, revealing how the trauma continues to affect him decades later. Levi recounted that during his childhood, which included time spent in South Africa, he felt like an outsider and struggled to fit in. He described a particularly painful incident at a birthday party in sixth grade when classmates told him they no longer wanted to be his friends, marking the beginning of a period of ostracization.

Levi explained that he maintained a facade of indifference, but the experience deeply impacted him, with all the hurt being internalized. He found solace in cinema during this lonely period, which he believes influenced his decision to pursue acting. The actor also shared that his family had to leave South Africa abruptly due to an economic crisis, and he was not even allowed to say goodbye to his friends, leaving farewell notes instead.

Reflecting on his own behavior, Levi admitted that he too has hurt others and sometimes distanced himself from people who wanted to get close, recognizing this as a defense mechanism stemming from his childhood experiences. He expressed a desire to apologize to those he has disappeared from, explaining that sometimes he withdrew because individuals were too important to him, and he feared they would have the power to hurt him.

Levi's personal account was shared as part of "It's a Red Line," a new national initiative launched by the President's Residence aimed at combating bullying and social exclusion among children and adolescents. The campaign, which involves celebrities and influencers, comes amid statistics indicating that one in three children in Israel experiences bullying or social exclusion. Levi concluded his message by urging those who bully to consider the lasting impact of their actions, emphasizing that the child they target is a human being who could carry the wound into adulthood, or conversely, be positively influenced by a simple act of inclusion.

The "It's a Red Line" initiative is a collaboration between the President's Residence, government ministries, local authorities, parent organizations, student councils, civil society groups, and businesses, launching shortly after the start of the academic year.