Ahead of the Israeli parliamentary elections this month, at least nine members of the families of victims of the October 7, 2023 attack, which is considered one of the deadliest days in the history of this country, are competing for a seat in the Knesset. These individuals, who have diverse political views, all share a common goal: to improve the state of the country and heal national wounds.
Attacks and Their Impact on Families
The October 7 attack by Hamas on southern Israel claimed the lives of 1,200 people and took 251 others hostage to Gaza. Michal Hirsh Nager, one of the candidates, lost her son Roi, who was killed in Kibbutz Be'eri while trying to confront the attackers. She says, "Roi was always looking for solutions and wanted to improve the situation."
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Additionally, Noam Tibon, another candidate and a former general, believes that October 7 was the greatest failure in Israeli history. He and his wife engaged with terrorists while trying to save their son, who was trapped in Kibbutz Nahal Oz.
Political Challenges and Determination for Change
Shiron Sharabi, another candidate from the right-wing party "Our Home Israel," believes that the roots of the country's problems must be addressed. He remembers his brothers, Yossi and Eli, who were taken hostage by Hamas. Yossi lost his life in captivity, while Eli was released after 500 days.
Shiron says, "I realized that I should not overlook the problems and must take action to restore the true values of Israel to the country."
However, some candidates, like Talig Govili, continue to support Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He states, "I am continuing my son Rani's mission, who went to defend Israel."
Shirai Shapiro, another candidate from the new centrist party "Yashar," seeks to transform her pain and that of other parents of victims into something positive. She says, "We are trying to learn from this pain and give it meaning."
Thus, this election is not only a political event but also a collective effort to improve the social and political situation in Israel. The families of the victims of the October 7 attack are seeking to create positive changes and heal significant national wounds.
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