הפחד הפך לשיטת שלטון: אנחנו זקוקים להנהגה שתרגיע אותנו | לילך סיגן

The article argues that fear has become a governing method in Israel, fueled by divisive narratives and social media, and calls for leadership that can calm the public. Columnist Lilaq Sigan contends that these narratives, which often present complex realities as extreme, lead to a constant state of fear where compromise is seen as weakness and listening to the other side as betrayal.

Sigan criticizes the media for often prioritizing sensationalism and influence over objective truth, creating echo chambers that reinforce existing beliefs and demonize opposing groups. This, she explains, fosters a sense of existential threat, exacerbating political polarization and mutual distrust between different segments of Israeli society, including Arabs and Jews, and secular and religious communities.

The author suggests that the next government's crucial task should be to reduce this pervasive fear and restore a minimal level of tranquility to Israelis' lives, which are already less peaceful than in other Western countries due to security realities. She asserts that rebuilding trust requires lowering the level of fear, which cannot be achieved if each camp waits for the other to capitulate.

Sigan emphasizes that true unity is not a slogan but requires a willingness to compromise and relinquish power, especially from those in government. She argues that the current political style, which exploits fear for survival, is broken and has exhausted itself. The true test of leadership, she concludes, is not in mobilizing people through fear but in enabling them to overcome their fears.