Israeli Mother and Grandmother Vows to Defend 'Land of Israel'
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS French by baba
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Laly Derai is running for Knesset, vowing not to cede any Israeli territory.
- Her son was killed on October 7th, motivating her political activism.
- She emphasizes national unity and a right-wing political stance.
- Derai rejects the two-state solution and advocates for mandatory service.
- She aims to represent right-wing voters disillusioned with the current coalition.
Laly Derai, an Israeli mother and grandmother who immigrated from France at age 15, shared her views on national security and identity in an interview for the "Defense 2.0" podcast. Derai described her early decision to move to Israel in 1990, driven by a desire to actively participate in her people's life, even during challenging times, recalling her refusal to return to France during the Gulf War.
Derai explained that living in Israel inherently involves a constant state of alert, yet coexists with a sense of serenity. She noted that French delegations often remark on the strong sense of community among Israeli youth, mirroring the ethos of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) where commanders lead from the front. Derai and her husband chose to live in Beit El, beyond the Green Line, during the Oslo Accords era, viewing a Palestinian state as a security threat, citing Gaza's transformation into a center for terror as evidence.
Responding to accusations of being messianic, Derai invoked David Ben Gurion's stance on territorial consequences for attacking Israel. She revealed that her son, Saadia, was killed on October 7th while serving in the IDF. His death has fueled her determination to continue his mission and refuse victimhood, stating, "I will not let Hamas run my life."
Derai is running for the Knesset on Ofer Winter's "Amkha Israel" party list, emphasizing national unity over political division. She highlighted the shared threat faced by all Israelis, regardless of political affiliation, citing the example of Sigal Kraunik, whose husband was killed in the Be'eri kibbutz massacre. Derai expressed pride in her right-wing stance, asserting that Israeli society has shifted rightward post-October 7th.
Her platform includes rethinking the citizen-state relationship, emphasizing mandatory military or national service as a civic duty, and rejecting the two-state solution. Derai declared, "I will not cede an inch of the Land of Israel," aiming to provide a political home for right-wing voters disillusioned with the current coalition and to rebuild Israel into a "paradise" after the October 7th attacks.