Israeli Commentator Laments Lost Unity Post-October 7

Three years after the October 7th massacre, commentator Oshrat Cohen shared a poignant message reflecting on the unity that emerged after the attack and subsequently faded. Cohen observed that Israelis, as a people who wish to forget and deny pain, often resort to distractions like concerts and parties to cope with their grief. She criticized this tendency to forget quickly, not only the shared experiences but also the sense of togetherness that arose in the aftermath of the tragedy.

Cohen questioned the selective remembrance of suffering, noting how social media becomes active and hearts ache from post to post only on memorial days, while the underlying pain persists year-round. She expressed concern over the growing division and hatred within Israeli society, posing a rhetorical question about whether this animosity is the legacy left by those lost. She specifically mentioned children boycotting each other and road rage as examples of this pervasive animosity.

"Sorry for our lives, that we are your legacy," Cohen stated, urging a return to the values of mutual responsibility, compromise, and sacrifice that characterized the nation's early days, especially in the face of immense loss. She expressed frustration that this unity is likely to be forgotten until the next tragic anniversary.

Cohen emphasized that while joy is part of the legacy of the fallen, the "second and inseparable half" is togetherness. She called for celebrating together, even with those who hold different views. She concluded by noting that shared experiences, like the sunset or the October 7th attack, affect everyone, and true unity as the people of Israel means living up to this legacy together.