Strategic Advisor Dedicates Column to Miriam Peretz's Unity Message

Strategic advisor expressed disappointment with the current political discourse, opting to dedicate his latest column in "Israel Hayom" to the unity message of Miriam Peretz. The strategic advisor was inspired to shift his focus after hearing Peretz's interview with Amir Ivgi on Galai Tzahal.

Initially, the strategic advisor had planned to write about his concerns regarding the new Knesset, fearing that its political focus and disputes might harm individuals like Elisha Madan and Shira Shapira, who have endured wartime hardships. He even chose not to watch the Knesset swearing-in ceremony. The strategic advisor also criticized Arab Knesset members who walked out during the "Hatikvah" national anthem, questioning why those who have already paid a heavy personal price should be exposed to such displays.

However, Peretz's interview on Galai Tzahal prompted a change in his feelings. He described her words as a call not to despair or remain silent in the face of division, declaring that he would use his platform to amplify her message. "So this week, the stage is hers, word for word," he wrote.

In the interview, Peretz recounted visiting the graves of her husband Eliezer and sons Uriel and Eliraz before her son Elisa's swearing-in to the Knesset. She noted the common thread among the fallen, who came from all sectors of Israeli society. "And my message to Elisa was one: we cannot be together only when we are dead. We must be and act together," she stated. Peretz urged her son, as a Knesset member, to represent all of Israel and work to change the divisive discourse. She emphasized that she raised her children not just to hope for change but to actively bring it about, expressing pride in Elisa's initiatives, including founding an organization for bereaved siblings and leading a pre-military academy.

Peretz also addressed potential criticism her son might face for associating with people from different political camps, noting that embracing members of "Brothers in Arms" could draw criticism from the right, while speaking with Yaakov Bardugo might draw it from the left. Regarding Arab parties in politics, she acknowledged their right as citizens but expressed difficulty accepting public representatives who do not define Hamas as a terrorist organization. She advocated for a unity government based on Zionist parties, calling on leaders to reduce divisions. "My personal opinion here is that there should be a unity government. Who are the possible partners? Zionist parties," she said.

Her call for shared life includes Arab citizens, the Haredi public, and all political factions. She shared that encounters with citizens nationwide and during a recent overseas mission revealed a widespread desire for unity. Peretz also discussed criticism directed at Elisa, attributing it to anger or pain and emphasizing her belief in forgiveness, even suggesting some critics might be dealing with their own loss or hardship. She concluded by reiterating her call for mutual love and respect, stressing that unity is essential not only during wartime but in everyday life. She appealed to national leaders to provide the next generation with a period of calm and stability, drawing on her personal experience of loss to highlight that even seemingly impossible situations can foster growth.

The strategic advisor concluded his column by returning to his own voice, dedicating the piece to the memory of the fallen and to the hope that Israeli society can overcome its internal divisions.