Gabri Benai Urges Pursuit of Peace with Palestinians Despite October 7 Hamas Attack

Israeli actor Gabri Benai spoke in an interview on journalist Guy Peleg's "All In" podcast, asserting that Israel must continue striving for peace with the Palestinians even after the deadly Hamas attack on October 7. Benai acknowledged the horrific massacre but attributed part of the tragedy to Israeli failures and flawed thinking. When Peleg highlighted the pain of residents in the Gaza envelope and kibbutzim who believed in coexistence and built joint industrial zones, only to be brutally attacked, Benai responded candidly that the slaughter happened partly due to "our stupidity" and incorrect assumptions. Despite this, he remains committed to the vision of peace, emphasizing the necessity of making peace with neighbors and even enemies, not distant countries like Norway. Benai stressed the importance of reaching out to Palestinians as neighbors with whom Israel must coexist.