Israelis Reflect on Initial Social Media Posts After October 7th

Several prominent Israelis are sharing their reflections on the first social media posts they made in the immediate aftermath of the October 7th Hamas attacks, revealing the profound emotional and psychological impact of the events. Comedian Shani Cohen described how a humorous video of soldiers asking for "more help" prompted her to share it, believing laughter was a vital coping mechanism and a way to reconnect with shared humanity amidst the horror. She noted that her satirical show "Eretz Nehederet" aired 19 days after the attacks and was credited by many with providing their first laughter since the massacre, which also allowed some to process their grief.

Filmmaker Eyal Ashel recounted writing a desperate post on October 8th seeking information about his daughter, Ronnie, who was later confirmed killed. He expressed deep disappointment that his plea for help from the military or government went unanswered, stating, "This was the last innocent post in my life. I still believed I had sent my daughter to the best and strongest army to take care of her and protect her. Unfortunately, I was mistaken." Singer Dana International shared her initial feeling of "darkness over the face of the deep" after the attacks, describing the disbelief and shock. She later focused her posts on the hostages, expressing frustration that the conflict continued without their release, stating, "I felt that our moral duty as a people is first and foremost to release all the hostages."

Writer Noam Horev reflected on a post he made on October 10th, initially believing his brother was dead. He described the post as a "cry for help" and a prayer for his brother's safety, acknowledging that his perspective has changed significantly as a parent. Musician Ivri Lider wrote a farewell post to his close friend and stage manager, Aviv Baram, who was killed on October 7th. He expressed hope that his friend's sacrifice, and that of others, would not be in vain and would lead to positive change, stating, "I am still waiting for the revolution."

Almog Cholot, a lawyer and mediator, shared two posts: one on October 17th acknowledging her failure as a mother for believing false assurances that put her children in danger, and another on October 29th that used humor as a defense mechanism while experiencing extreme fear in a safe room. She noted that even three years later, the struggle for "redemption" is ongoing and more difficult than she anticipated. The article highlights how these initial, raw expressions of grief, fear, and hope evolved as individuals grappled with the ongoing trauma and the perceived failures of leadership.