Have We Learned Nothing From the Hell We Went Through?
Maariv, Israel, December 30
The 86th day of the ongoing war has brought about a multitude of challenges, from security and military concerns to mental and personal strain, as well as the destabilization of family, marital, and economic situations. This, in turn, will inevitably result in further economic turmoil, as Israel will have to provide compensation to those individuals burdened by the consequences brought forth by the outbreak of war. In these past 86 days, our perception of security has been shattered, causing us to question even the most fundamental aspects of our lives, such as the ability to sleep peacefully under our own roofs. As Jews and Israelis, living in a world engulfed in animosity towards us, our peace of mind has been greatly compromised. As we bid adieu to this tumultuous year, I find myself deeply disappointed, not only in others but more importantly, in ourselves as a collective. I have previously mentioned this issue in my previous columns: the evil that we discovered on the morning of October 7. The tragedy we endured was surely accompanied by some glimmers of hope. One example is the incredible mobilization towards helping others, regardless of who they are or who they voted for. We made the most of our resources and, simultaneously, utilized every available means to do good. From providing soldiers with food to donating necessities to families of evacuees, we did it all. I’m not naive. I know that the grim political reality outside did not disappear. But I drew strength from the warmth our short-lived unity evoked, determined to hold onto it for as long as I could. We are a nation that has suffered greatly. Feeling like we’re all in this together gave me strength. But sadly, I’m sensing that as the war continues to unfold, we’re moving in the opposite direction. Our unity is beginning to crumble. I must confess, I never anticipated that our painful and tragic disenchantment as a people would undergo a reverse process, rekindling the very things that we despised at irrational levels. And despise, we did. We criticized the judicial reform, cast doubt on the profound beliefs that each individual brought from home, clashed over political ideologies, and even questioned our fondness for the prime minister. We debated whether to take action to rectify the situation or merely offer remote support and encouragement from the sidelines. This week, the topic of the judicial reforms once again resurfaced. Over a month ago, Justice Minister Yariv Levin made an announcement, suggesting its comeback. As if we hadn’t already experienced the most dreadful days imaginable, it all returned. The enchantment has faded, and once again, we find ourselves wearing those X-ray glasses that enable us to overlook our current struggles, instead choosing to label and categorize our environment in a divisive manner. This only serves to highlight the fact that we have failed to learn anything at all. Absolutely nothing. We have not even learned from the agony that consumed us with fervor. We are currently at a pivotal juncture in our life as a society and as a nation. The loss of power has not yet become an irrevocable reality. However, if we fail to confront these divisive attempts head-on, they will persist, tarnishing our future existence. Eventually, our vision will be obscured, overwhelmed by shadows and biased political notions. Regrettably, this means that all the rhetoric surrounding unity and a shared future, which has been substantiated in the past two and a half months, will be rendered hollow. As a result, I feel an immense sense of disappointment deep within my being, as it appears that this unfortunate trajectory is becoming a reality. —Michal Kadosh (translated by Asaf Zilberfarb)
