Eisenkot Issues Emergency Call to Save Israel From Current Path

Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yisrael! party, issued an urgent appeal on Tuesday, marking three years since the October 7th massacre, warning that Israel is on a trajectory to cease being the country known today. Standing alongside Shira Shapira, mother of fallen soldier Aner Shapira, Eisenkot declared, "This is an emergency call to save the country we fought for. We must not get used to an insane and unbearable reality."

Eisenkot criticized the current governance, stating Israel cannot continue to exempt segments of the population from military service and economic participation. He warned that without dramatic change, Israel's security will not be guaranteed. He also decried the perpetual state of war without a clear strategy and the failure to achieve objectives, alongside the "miserable attempt" to bury the truth about the "most serious failure in the country's history" without accountability.

He condemned the divisive rhetoric and attacks on bereaved families and hostage survivors, referencing a recent radio comment by Yinon Magal and the controversial remarks by Rabbi Dov Lando against religious Zionists. Eisenkot noted the silence from government and coalition members regarding these statements, including Prime Minister Netanyahu and Minister Smotrich, who he said "bears the name of the religious Zionist public with pretension."

Shira Shapira shared her personal perspective, emphasizing that the October 7th events have profoundly changed lives. She spoke of the choice between succumbing to despair or growing from the trauma, and her and Eisenkot's decision to enter public life despite personal loss. "This personal fracture has strengthened our deep sense of commitment and national mission," she stated, aiming to give meaning to their continued existence in Israel and take responsibility for it.

Shapira outlined the tasks ahead, including supporting bereaved families, aiding released hostages and their families, rebuilding the South and North, facilitating the return of reservists, and assisting the wounded and those suffering from trauma. "Our mission is great," she concluded, "and I ask tonight that we remember it. And that we make a decision, not to fall again, but to change and correct."