WATCH: Arab Israeli student nurse saves choking baby in Herzliya pharmacy

An Arab Israeli nursing student, Amanda, leapt to the rescue of a choking baby at a pharmacy in the coastal city of Herzliya, saving his life.

"I was in the middle of a shift and suddenly I hear screaming and crying, and suddenly I see a child who is in respiratory distress, not responding. I took him from his father’s arms and acted resourcefully and calmly, just as I was taught,” she relayed, expressing her relief that she was able to save him. 

“I’m a nursing student and it’s probably ingrained in me to act calmly and to know how to treat people – babies, children. I’m glad I was able to save him, truly,” she said.

Reflecting on the incident, she told Kan News, “It’s a sense of fulfillment that I can’t describe. I feel this kind of fullness inside. I’m really glad I was in the right place at the right time. A baby is something special; it's a new life, the beginning of life.”

The Muslim student, wearing her hijab along with her uniform, was beaming with joy over the intense moment, clearly happy she was there and available to help.

“I feel that what you did, saved a life, and this interview now is something that can bring people closer together between the different groups in society,” the interviewer suggested.

“Listen, we are the same. We are all human beings in the end,” she replied. “It’s about being humane and being a person before anything else. It’s not about Arab or Jew. We are all one. That’s my belief. I grew up with those values at home, and my profession aligns with those values.”

Arabs are well represented in Israel's medical sector, accounting for approximately 25% of physicians, 27% of nurses, 27% of dentists, and 49% of pharmacists, despite representing only 21% of the population. Almost half of the new medical licenses are awarded to Arab professionals, according to figures published in the National Library of Medicine in 2023.

“I think I’m in the right place, and it doesn’t matter religion, race or gender – it’s simply a mission to help people, to help others," she said.

Hundreds of Israeli commenters responded with messages of appreciation, such as:

“It really moved me. I can see in your eyes that you are special. You have values ​​that deserve respect. Congratulations.”

“Such a good woman. It really warms my heart to see a woman like you. I hope the world learns from you how to be good to everyone and live in peace. Thank you .”

“Thank you. Well done. You make the world a better place.”

A few people quoted a saying which appears in the Talmud (Tractate Sanhedrin 37a) and which is also repeated later in the Quran (Surah Al-Ma'idah 5:32): "Whoever saves a single life is considered by Scripture to have saved the whole world."