Israel's Politicians Urged to Seek Forgiveness Ahead of Yom Kippur

As Israel approaches Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, a prominent legal expert and former director of the Authority for the Advancement of Women has called on the nation's political system to offer ten "slichot" (apologies) to the public. The author argues that beyond personal introspection, politicians must acknowledge their failings in serving the citizens who entrust them with their security, children, and future.

The list of grievances includes politicians being out of touch with the daily struggles of Israelis concerning security, military service, and the cost of living, while focusing instead on power struggles. The author criticizes the politicization of the investigation into the October 7th failures, stating that disputes over the inquiry's composition overshadow the essential need to understand what went wrong.

Further apologies are demanded for normalizing inequality in service, education, healthcare, and housing, and for failing to address the rising cost of living, which directly impacts families' ability to afford basic necessities. The piece also highlights the deep national trauma following recent events, emphasizing that mental health support is crucial for rehabilitation and that resilience should not absolve the state of its responsibility to its citizens.

The author also calls for accountability regarding the increased threats and discrimination faced by Israelis and Jews globally since October 7th, and for politicians to stop fostering division within Israeli society. The most significant apology requested is for the failure to take responsibility, urging leaders to admit mistakes and commit to genuine change rather than mere apologies, which is seen as the true test of the relationship between the government and the governed.