Ex-Gaza Division Commander Joins Religious Zionism Party After Losing Family on Oct. 7
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Former Gaza Division Commander Major General (Res.) Yossi Bachar joined the Religious Zionism party after his mother and nephew were killed on October 7th. Bachar, who grew up in Kibbutz Be'eri, cited the massacre and the failure of previous security concepts as reasons for his shift. He now advocates for renewed Jewish settlement in Gaza to ensure security. His decision has faced opposition from some former colleagues and community members.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Major General (Res.) Yossi Bachar joined the Religious Zionism party after losing family on October 7th.
- Bachar, former commander of the Gaza Division, cited the massacre and security concept failure for his change.
- He previously believed in coexistence and helped Palestinian children access Israeli hospitals.
- Bachar now supports renewing Jewish settlement in Gaza and repealing the Disengagement Law.
- His decision has drawn criticism and opposition from some in his community and former colleagues.
- Bachar believes renewed settlement in Gaza will permanently secure his home kibbutz, Be'eri.
Major General (Res.) Yossi Bachar, former commander of the Gaza Division and a resident of Kibbutz Be'eri, has joined the Religious Zionism party, surprising many in the political sphere and his community. Bachar's mother and nephew were murdered in their home during the October 7th Hamas attack on Kibbutz Be'eri, where he grew up and returned to fight the terrorists that day.
In an interview with Kan News, Bachar explained that the massacre and the recognition of the failure of the security concept he believed in led to a profound change in his worldview. He admitted that before October 7th, he never imagined he would align with figures like Bezalel Smotrich and Orit Strock, having previously believed in the possibility of long-term coexistence with Palestinians and even helping sick Palestinian children access Israeli hospitals.
Bachar, whose son is a religious settler, expressed pride in his son's move to a settlement near Mount Beracha, viewing it as a form of contemporary Zionism and a way to hold onto Israeli land. He believes Jewish presence in the area is crucial to prevent adjacent Palestinian construction and secure his home kibbutz.
He also leveled sharp criticism at the military system he served for over three decades, acknowledging his own responsibility for the failures that led to October 7th. Bachar stated that a key assumption was that Hamas prioritized maintaining its rule in Gaza and would avoid a large-scale attack that could jeopardize its control, an assumption that proved disastrously wrong, compounded by over-reliance on Israeli intelligence.
Looking ahead, Bachar's political aims include the renewal of Jewish settlement in the Gaza Strip. He hopes a right-wing government, with significant participation from Religious Zionism, will repeal the Disengagement Law. He envisions a new front of settlements in Gaza to secure the existing Gaza envelope communities, believing this will permanently secure Be'eri's future.
Bachar acknowledged that his decision has met with resistance from close circles, including kibbutz members and former senior officers, some of whom reacted aggressively and insultingly. Despite the backlash, he stands by his decision, seeing himself as acting for the sake of the Israeli people, the residents of the Gaza envelope, and Kibbutz Be'eri.