Bereaved Families and Hostage Survivors Launch Initiative to Combat Societal Division
Translated & summarized from Mako by baba
Bereaved families and former hostages have launched 'HaMachane,' a new initiative to combat societal polarization in Israel. They are demanding the next government establish a national social cohesion body within 100 days and aim to foster ten million new connections between Israelis from different backgrounds. Data suggests most Israelis view internal division as the primary threat to the country. Founders emphasize the need to maintain unity beyond emergencies, citing personal experiences of cross-community support.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Bereaved families and former hostages launched 'HaMachane' to reduce societal polarization in Israel.
- The initiative demands the next government create a national social cohesion body within 100 days.
- Over half of Israelis consider internal division the greatest threat to the country, according to cited data.
- 'HaMachane' aims to facilitate ten million new connections between Israelis from diverse backgrounds.
- Founders stress the importance of maintaining societal unity and mutual recognition, even amid disagreements.
A new initiative called 'HaMachane' (The Camp) has been launched by bereaved families and former hostages, aiming to reduce polarization within Israeli society. The group is demanding that the next government establish a permanent national infrastructure for social cohesion within its first 100 days.
Among the founders are Meirav Berger, mother of hostage Agam Berger; Shir Segal, daughter of Keith and Aviva Segal; Meirav Leshem Gonen, mother of hostage Romi Gonen; and Chen Avigdori, whose wife Sharon and daughter Noam were released from captivity. Hostage survivor Avinatan Or is also a co-founder. The initiative, launched three years after October 7th and weeks before an election, includes individuals from diverse backgrounds who believe internal division poses a greater threat to Israel than external dangers.
According to data cited by the initiative, attributed to a 2026 estimate by the Jewish People Policy Institute, 55% of Israelis view internal polarization as the most dangerous threat to the country, compared to 23% for the Iranian nuclear threat and 18% for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
'HaMachane' proposes a multi-year strategy involving government systems, education, local authorities, the business sector, and civil society to identify and address the roots of polarization. Concurrently, they have set an ambitious public goal of fostering ten million new connections between Israelis from different communities and backgrounds. This effort is being promoted on social media under the hashtag #עוד_1_למכנה, encouraging participants to share personal connections with individuals outside their usual circles.
Keren Sokolov, CEO of 'Living Together' and a founder of 'HaMachane,' stated, "October 7th proved how much power we have when we act together, but we mustn't need the next disaster to remember that. Polarization is no longer just a political debate; it's a threat to our ability to continue living here as one society. Therefore, we demand that the next government treat it as a national challenge and establish a body to take responsibility for it." Ari Spitz, a severely wounded combat soldier, added, "We have paid a very heavy price for this country, and now our responsibility is also to preserve the society that lives in it. We can think differently and argue, but we must not reach a point where we stop seeing each other."
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