Israeli Singer Neta Barzilai Highlights Trauma's Impact at National Economic Conference

At the National Economic Conference hosted by Calcalist, Bank Leumi, and Clal, Israeli singer Neta Barzilai performed her acoustic ballad "Oxytocin" from her album "Serenade." The song was inspired by her ex-partner Guy Rafael's struggle with post-trauma after returning from combat reserve duty in Lebanon. Barzilai shared her personal experience of adapting after the October 7 events, emphasizing how ongoing trauma disrupts emotional responses, making celebrations feel empty and minor incidents feel catastrophic.

She explained that oxytocin, known as the "love hormone," fosters feelings of safety and affection, but trauma impairs this mechanism. Barzilai stressed the importance of recognizing that people with post-trauma change, and healing requires understanding from both the affected individuals and their surrounding support systems, including family, friends, and employers.

Highlighting the scale of trauma in Israel, she noted that before October 7, there were 50,000 injured individuals, which has now doubled to 100,000 after two years. Barzilai expressed confidence that society can transform personal and communal spaces into healing environments.