Chaim Yellin Reflects on Life-Changing Moment After October 7 Terror Attack

Chaim Yellin, a survivor of the October 7 terror attack at Kibbutz Be'eri, shared a detailed account of his life journey and the impact of that day in a special interview on Channel 14. Born in Buenos Aires, Yellin immigrated to Israel alone at 18, driven by a deep sense of mission. He served in combat during the First Lebanon War and later became head of the Eshkol Regional Council, warning for years about the persistent threat from Gaza and Hamas before the October 7 attack.

During the interview, Yellin recounted the morning of October 7, when by 6:29 a.m. he realized the situation was not a typical skirmish but a full-scale war, as attacks spread toward the Gush Dan area. He and his family spent 11 hours in a fortified room before emerging to witness the devastation in Be'eri. Reflecting on the tragedy, Yellin said his focus shifted from anger to a mission of national unity, which he now sees as his life's work.

Yellin emphasized that internal division did not cause the attack but argued that a united society would better withstand such crises. He rejected the notion that one side could triumph over the other without destroying the national fabric. Following the war, Yellin engaged in efforts to promote unity, including founding the "Genesis Covenant" initiative to foster dialogue across Israeli society.

On the eve of Tisha B'Av, a day commemorating the destruction of the Temple due to baseless hatred, Yellin called for preserving the spirit of mutual responsibility that emerged after the attack. He expressed longing for the solidarity seen on October 8 and urged that such unity be chosen in everyday life as well.