Widow of Israeli Victim Killed in October 7 Hamas Attack Fights for Equal Rights for Divorced Families
Liat Oren Vaks returned to Israel in December 2023 with her son Yehonatan after living six years in the United States. Previously married to Yigal Vaks, they divorced in summer 2023, with Yigal returning to their home in the moshav Netiv HaAsara in southern Israel, which they had built but never lived in. On October 7, 2023, during the Hamas attack on the moshav, Yigal was killed defending the community with a machete he had bought on a trip to South America.
Liat recalls hearing about the attack from Boston and learning shortly after from her brother that Yigal and his brother Amit had been murdered. Despite their divorce, Liat emphasizes that they remained a family, and she had hoped Yigal would return. She struggled to explain the tragedy to their son Yehonatan, who was deeply affected by his father's death.
Born in Kiryat Gat, Liat is now 51, living in Ness Ziona, and works as a couples counselor and mediator. Her personal history includes the loss of a previous child and a complex family life. After moving between Israel, the US, and New York, the family faced challenges including antisemitic incidents at Yehonatan’s schools in Boston and New York, which contributed to their decision to return to Israel in 2024.
Upon returning, Liat encountered systemic discrimination in the recognition of her status as a bereaved parent. Because she was divorced, not widowed, she was denied certain benefits and rights granted to widows of terror victims. She describes the emotional and bureaucratic struggles, including being excluded from some support programs and receiving lower compensation for her son compared to children of widows.
Liat joined forces with other divorced parents of October 7 victims and advocacy groups like "Hamanayot" and "Victims of Hostile Acts" to push for legal reforms. In December 2025, a Knesset amendment sponsored by MK Ofir Katz recognized divorced and separated parents in the victims' compensation law, granting increased monthly benefits, temporary housing aid, and one-time car purchase grants for orphans. However, Liat stresses that full equality has not been achieved, and children of divorced parents still receive significantly less support.
She continues to campaign for equal rights, warning that as time passes, the voices of these families weaken. Meanwhile, she has rebuilt her life professionally and personally, opening a counseling clinic called The Bridge to help couples navigate crises, drawing from her own experiences of loss and resilience.
