Rabbi Calls for National Unity Post-October 7th
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
Rabbi Doron Peretz, whose son was killed on October 7th, urged Israelis to take responsibility for societal divisions that preceded the attack, stating the nation cannot return to its pre-war state. He acknowledged broad responsibility among military and political leadership for the failures. Peretz emphasized that internal divisions, exacerbated by the judicial reform, are a greater threat than external ones, and called for unity and introspection to heal the nation.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Rabbi Doron Peretz stated Israel cannot return to its pre-October 7th reality without accepting internal responsibility.
- He acknowledged failures by military intelligence, Shin Bet, and government leadership in the lead-up to the Hamas attack.
- Peretz noted that Hamas leader Sinwar believed Israeli societal divisions would enable the October 7th attack.
- The judicial reform is cited as a factor that deepened societal divisions within Israel.
- Peretz identified internal societal division as Israel's greatest threat, surpassing Iran's nuclear program.
- He called for leaders to foster unity and introspection, likening the nation to a large family.
Rabbi Doron Peretz, President of the World Zionist Organization, has called for Israelis to accept responsibility for their part in the societal divisions that preceded the October 7th Hamas attacks, stating that the nation cannot afford to return to the pre-war reality. Peretz, whose son Captain Daniel Peretz was killed on October 7th and returned for burial after 738 days, shared his personal journey of coping with grief without resorting to anger or blame.
He acknowledged that many entities, including military intelligence, the Shin Bet, the General Staff, the Ministry of Defense, and the government leadership at the time, bear responsibility for the failures leading to the massacre. Peretz also pointed to previous Chiefs of Staff and security officials who promoted a "smart and small army" doctrine and favored containment and deterrence policies.
While emphasizing the need for state commission of inquiry and military investigations, Peretz stressed that any such body must have broad agreement and trust to be successful. He observed that many politicians and commentators readily assign blame to others, a tendency he believes Hamas leader Sinwar exploited, noting documents found in his home indicated he believed the internal Israeli rift would enable the attack.
Peretz argued that the judicial reform further deepened this division, with each side justifying its actions and blaming the other. He asserted that a significant part of Israel's weakness stems from the inability of any group to take responsibility for its role in the nation's problems. He believes that growth and healing are impossible until each side looks inward and accepts accountability.
He concluded that while Iran's nuclear threat is the greatest external danger, the most significant internal threat is the division and demonization that endanger the social fabric. Peretz urged leaders and opinion shapers, especially during election periods, to recognize the shared destiny of the Jewish people and foster unity, likening the nation to a large family.
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