Journalist Describes His Mission to Memorialize Fallen Israelis
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
Journalist Moshe Cohen considers memorializing victims of the October 7th attacks and the ensuing war his journalistic mission. He has covered numerous funerals and believes the war has showcased a principled young generation, contrary to prior cynical views. Cohen highlights efforts like naming streets and establishing memorial collections, emphasizing the importance of remembering every individual's story. He notes the initial unity following the attacks has faded but stresses the shared sacrifice of fallen Israelis across political divides.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Journalist Moshe Cohen views memorializing victims of the October 7th attacks and the war as his core journalistic mission.
- He believes the war has revealed a principled and determined young generation in Israel.
- Cohen has covered dozens of funerals and maintains contact with bereaved families.
- Memorialization efforts include naming streets, parks, and creating digital archives.
- He observes that the initial unity after October 7th has given way to societal rifts.
- Cohen emphasizes the shared sacrifice of fallen Israelis from all political backgrounds.
Journalist Moshe Cohen views his work memorializing those killed in the October 7th attacks and the subsequent war as his "journalistic mission." He reflects on how the war has revealed a generation of young Israelis who are principled, open-minded, and determined, contrary to cynical views held before the conflict. Cohen has covered dozens of funerals for soldiers and civilians, maintaining contact with bereaved families and advocating for their loved ones' remembrance.
For many families, memorialization is about preserving memory and legacy for future generations. The National Library has already compiled a collection of approximately 200 books about those who fell or were murdered, highlighting the enduring nature of digital remembrance. Cohen emphasizes that memorializing every individual is a crucial duty, noting that streets, parks, and institutions across Israel have been named in honor of the fallen and victims, with Ramat Gan specifically naming streets after fallen soldiers and benches after murdered civilians.
Cohen recounts the intense emotional experience of covering funerals, feeling a duty to tell each person's story. He observes that the fallen and murdered represent a diverse tapestry of Israeli society, and their sacrifice has fostered a sense of unity, bridging political and religious divides. This unity, he notes, emerged strongly after the October 7th massacre but has since been challenged by growing societal rifts. However, he points out that cemeteries hold soldiers and victims from across the political spectrum who fought together, emphasizing their shared sacrifice for the nation.
He also describes instances of public solidarity, with strangers attending funerals of those they didn't know, carrying Israeli flags, and standing along the roads to pay their respects. Cohen has consistently honored families' requests for privacy regarding funeral coverage, but also shares an anecdote where a family, initially requesting no coverage, later asked him to write about their son, emphasizing the importance of his story for his nieces and nephews. Cohen reiterates his commitment to this mission, seeing it as a moral obligation for Israel to remember, not forget, and continue supporting bereaved families.
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