Israelis' Post-Trauma Hinders Imagination of Better Future, Columnist Argues
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
Columnist Nadav Eyal argues that Israel's deep post-traumatic stress from the October 7th attacks and the ongoing war is severely impairing the public's ability to imagine a better future. He criticizes political leaders for fueling insecurity and notes that this trauma affects both individual and national prospects. Eyal calls for Israelis to actively reclaim their imagination as a crucial lifeline for rebuilding the nation and overcoming the current crisis, drawing parallels to historical moments of rapid change.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israelis' collective post-trauma from October 7th and the war hinders their ability to imagine a better future, argues columnist Nadav Eyal.
- The trauma damages cognitive flexibility and emotional numbing, making it difficult to envision positive scenarios or practical solutions.
- Political leaders are criticized for perpetuating insecurity, preventing the public from feeling safe and hopeful.
- The concept of normalcy has shifted to constant warfare, impacting the national psyche and outlook.
- Eyal urges Israelis to actively use their imagination as a lifeline to rebuild the nation and overcome the crisis.
As Israel approaches the 2026 elections, the national discourse is dominated by sharp political attacks rather than addressing the deep post-traumatic stress stemming from the October 7th attacks and the subsequent war, according to columnist Nadav Eyal. He describes a collective consciousness haunted by vivid images of violence and loss, making it difficult for Israelis to process events as the past and hindering their ability to envision a positive future.
Eyal explains that post-trauma damages cognitive flexibility and can lead to emotional numbness as a defense mechanism, making it hard to imagine better scenarios. This impaired imagination, he argues, is a dangerous consequence of the ongoing threat and the collective memory of horrific events, including the abduction of the Bibas family, the murder of young people in tunnels, and the widespread casualties and displacement.
He criticizes political leadership, including Prime Minister Netanyahu, for perpetuating a sense of threat and insecurity rather than fostering hope. Eyal notes that even within the IDF, the concept of normalcy has shifted to constant warfare, with peace periods seen as mere exceptions. This environment, he contends, prevents Israelis from imagining basic functioning elements like effective policing, just laws, and adequate education.
The columnist highlights the difficulty in envisioning practical solutions for rebuilding the country, reducing societal animosity, healing the education system, achieving security agreements without perpetual war, and managing international perception. He contrasts this with the potential for rapid change in Israel's history, citing Anwar Sadat's 1977 visit to Lod as an example of a realistic, albeit extraordinary, positive shift.
Eyal concludes that the upcoming elections are not just about accountability for October 7th but fundamentally about regaining the capacity to imagine and build a better future, urging Israelis to "hold onto imagination like a lifeline" to escape the "quicksand" of their current trauma, referencing Rachel Goldberg-Polin's sentiment about the swiftness of change.
