Grieving Families Set 100-Day Deadline for New Social Unity Framework

For families who lost members during the Israel-Gaza War, the cost of internal division is no longer theoretical. It is measured in lives taken on October 7, 2023, and in the subsequent conflict that claimed soldiers from diverse communities. These bereaved relatives now argue that political unity must be treated with the same urgency as national defense. They are pressing the incoming government to establish a national framework for social cohesion within its first 100 days in office.

The initiative, named Hamechane, translates to "the denominator," reflecting its focus on finding common ground. Its membership includes parents of fallen soldiers, captivity survivors, and wounded veterans. Moshe Shapiro, whose son Aner died while throwing grenades from a roadside shelter on October 7, leads the group's public advocacy. He joined Hoda Daxa and Shai Zohar in outlining their demands ahead of the elections.

Shapiro points to the wildflower campaign, which began in the 1960s, as a practical model. That effort combined legal protection with public education until respect for nature became a cultural norm. He argues that mutual respect, even during deep disagreement, should achieve similar status. The goal is to make cohesion a standard part of national infrastructure rather than an afterthought.

Shai Zohar, the uncle of Capt. Omer Neutra, a New York-born soldier killed on October 7, describes internal polarization as the country's greatest existential threat. He contends that pre-existing divisions contributed to the catastrophe. "Unity is an operating system, an approach," Zohar said. He warned that Israel cannot revert to previous patterns of division after paying such a high price. Zohar also admitted that his understanding of the 2018 Nation-State Law changed after hearing from Hoda Daxa, a Druze community member.

Daxa's husband, Col. Ehsan Daxa, commanded the 401st Armored Brigade and was killed leading troops in northern Gaza in October 2024. She notes that the 2018 law, which reserves national self-determination for the Jewish people and defines Hebrew as the state language, lacks an explicit equality guarantee. Druze critics argue this excludes a community whose soldiers fight for the state. The High Court upheld the law in 2021. In November 2023, Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Muwaffaq Tarif called for constitutional recognition of the community's rights, while the coalition promised separate legislation.

Daxa emphasizes that belonging is tested in daily interactions. She recalled a train ride where speaking Arabic caused visible discomfort among passengers, despite no one speaking up. "Hatred doesn't distinguish," she said. She stresses that unity must include all citizens, not just the Jewish majority. Group members vote for different parties but prioritize learning over assumption. "We come with an open heart," Daxa said.

The group spent a year building a shared vision among religious and secular Jews, Haredim, Druze, and individuals from the political Right and Left. Shapiro noted that no participant had to hide their views. He cited his grandfather, Haim-Moshe Shapiro, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, who urged Prime Minister Levi Eshkol to include opposition parties before the Six Day War. In June 1967, the government expanded to include Gahal and Rafi, with Moshe Dayan becoming defense minister.

Aner Shapiro expressed a similar view in a social media post before his death. After graffiti defaced an image of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, he criticized rigid categories of religious, secular, right-wing, and left-wing identities. He wrote, "There really is no 'them.'" His father, Moshe, said he had hoped such divisions were fading but feels disappointed by their return.

Hamechane proposes fostering personal connections through schools, workplaces, and communities. Shapiro wants children to learn about different communities and how to handle disagreement. He also calls for measures against online activity that inflames hatred. The group has not defined the specific structure of the proposed body, leaving that decision to elected officials and professionals. Daxa said recognizing polarization as a national danger would be a first step. Shapiro clarified that the goal is not to sacrifice lives, but to listen and make room for others, remembering that disagreement does not cancel mutual obligations.