Bereaved Father Accuses Netanyahu of Exploiting Grief for Political Gain

Former Israeli Minister Yizhar Shai, whose son was killed on October 7, 2023, has sharply criticized Talik Gvili, the mother of another fallen soldier, after she joined the Likud party list. Gvili, announcing her political move, warned that a victory by the "other camp" in elections would lead to the collapse of all achievements and the erasure of heroes' memories.

In a Facebook post on Sunday, September 13, Shai addressed Gvili, accusing her of incitement. Shai, a former Knesset member and Science and Technology Minister, lost his son Yaron, a Nahal Brigade fighter, defending Kibbutz Kerem Shalom on October 7. Gvili's son, Ran (Rani) Gvili, a Yamam special forces officer, was killed in Kibbutz Alumim on the same day while saving festival-goers. His body was returned to Israel in January 2026 following a military operation.

Shai expressed solidarity with Gvili's grief but stated that her public comments were dishonorable and would not serve her son's memory. He argued that both their sons fought for all of Israel, not for a specific political "camp." Shai accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of exploiting societal divisions and the grief of families for political purposes.

"You have decided to join the Prime Minister who has turned the division of society into camps into a tool of his power," Shai wrote. He asserted that Netanyahu has driven incitement to unprecedented levels and is responsible for the deaths of their sons. Shai believes Netanyahu included Gvili in his party list solely to leverage her grief and justify attacks against parents of soldiers who oppose him.

Shai concluded his post by stating, "There are no camps for grief and sorrow," wishing Gvili success in politics, and honoring the memory of Ran Gvili as a hero of Israel.