Israeli Child Advocate Ben Carso's Emotional Plea in Sydney
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
Eleven-year-old Ben Carso, dubbed "Israel's advocacy child," is using social media and public speaking to share the experiences of Israeli children affected by war and antisemitism. Following the October 7th attacks, he gained international attention for his videos and lectures. Despite facing antisemitic abuse, Carso recently shared an emotional moment on stage in Sydney with Summer Briton, a young survivor of a terrorist attack, where they declared "Am Israel Chai." He also hosts a podcast and has been recognized for his advocacy efforts.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Ben Carso, 11, is an Israeli child advocate known for presenting the perspective of children affected by war.
- He gained international attention for videos addressing world leaders and lecturing students globally.
- Carso has faced significant antisemitic backlash, including online threats and harassment.
- In Sydney, he shared an emotional moment on stage with Summer Briton, a young survivor of a terrorist attack.
- Carso was the youngest torchlighter at Israel's 77th Independence Day ceremony in 2025.
- He hosts the podcast "Blue and White" and has received praise for his advocacy work.
Eleven-year-old Ben Carso, known as "Israel's advocacy child," has gained international recognition for his efforts to present the Israeli perspective, particularly concerning the experiences of children during wartime. His advocacy began after the October 7th Hamas attack, when a friend's father, who had been at the Nova music festival, was confirmed murdered. Carso started creating videos from the viewpoint of Israeli children. A notable video addressed French President Emmanuel Macron's statement at the UN regarding Hamas's activities in the West Bank, with Carso responding in French, urging the president to "wake up" and "check the facts."
Carso's work has earned him significant recognition, including being chosen as the youngest torchlighter for Israel's 77th Independence Day ceremony in 2025. He also lectures students globally about the impact of war and antisemitism on children. However, his international exposure has also led to harsh criticism. After an interview with the Italian newspaper "Il Riformista" in November 2025, he received hundreds of antisemitic comments, including a call to "go back to Auschwitz like your grandfather." Carso, a third-generation Holocaust survivor, noted that most of the 300 comments were antisemitic. He also faced abuse in New York while wearing a Star of David necklace.
Despite the backlash, Carso remains committed to his advocacy. During a visit to Australia in March, he met 7-year-old Summer Briton, who survived a shooting attack on Bondi Beach in December 2025 where her 10-year-old sister, Matilda, was killed. Summer shared her grief with Carso, leading to a connection with her family. Matilda's father gave Carso a memorial pin for his daughter, which he now wears during his appearances.
Last week, Carso returned to Australia for the three-year anniversary of the October 7th massacre. At a memorial ceremony in Sydney's Central Synagogue, he spoke about the children murdered by Hamas and invited Summer to join him on stage. Together, the Israeli child advocate and the Australian girl who lost her sister declared, "Am Israel Chai" (The people of Israel live). This moment was described as one of the evening's most moving.
Carso also receives positive attention in Israel. In an interview with i24NEWS, he stated his goal is to show the world the reality of Israeli children beyond the headlines. He also hosts the podcast "Blue and White," featuring guests like Ailon Levy and Shimon Mizrahi, who praised Carso's impactful work. The article also mentions 10-year-old Rif Dadon, son of model Natalie Dadon, who recently addressed Angelina Jolie in English about the situation in Gaza, reminding her that "Jewish children also count."