Shira Shapira Turns Personal Tragedy Into Public Service After Son's Death in October Conflict

Shira Shapira, mother of Israeli soldier Enar Shapira who was killed on October 7, shares her journey from personal grief to public responsibility. She explains how the loss of her son, a national hero, transformed her life and connected her pain to the collective trauma experienced by Israel. This profound shift inspired her decision to enter public life and run for office, driven by a belief that pain can be transformed into unity and constructive action.

Shapira reflects on Jewish tradition, particularly the seven weeks of consolation following Tisha B'Av, emphasizing that destruction should not be the final chapter. She recalls her son's values of mutual responsibility, human kindness, and unity, which she sees as a guiding legacy. She warns against returning to divisive societal conflicts, noting that the enemy does not distinguish between Israeli factions.

Drawing on historical and religious teachings, Shapira highlights hope amid devastation, citing Rabbi Akiva's faith in redemption after Jerusalem's destruction. She stresses that consolation is not forgetting or erasing pain but choosing to build anew from the ruins. Her political ambition stems from a desire to foster a different kind of politics, one focused on what is right for Israel, grounded in shared democratic and Jewish values, and rejecting voices that seek to undermine national unity.

Shapira concludes with a call to remember those lost and to ensure that from this collective fracture, a better future is built. She believes that if Israelis unite in this way, the destruction will mark not an end but the beginning of renewal.