Bereaved Families Seek National Cohesion Plan

As Israel prepares for its next parliamentary elections, a new political tension has emerged between the desire for security and the need for internal unity. A group of bereaved relatives and war survivors is pressing the incoming administration to treat social cohesion as a central state responsibility. They argue that the divisions that weakened the country before the October 7, 2023, attack must be addressed with the same urgency as defense and foreign policy. The initiative, known as Hamechane, seeks to institutionalize mutual respect and common ground within the national framework.

The group has set a specific timeline for action. Members are requesting that the new government establish a national framework for social cohesion within its first 100 days in office. They point to the historical wildflower protection campaign, which began in the 1960s, as a successful model. That initiative combined legal protections with public education, ensuring that generations of children grew up with a shared sense of stewardship. The coalition believes that similar structural measures can embed respect for diverse communities into the fabric of Israeli society.

The initiative is led by individuals with deep personal stakes in the nation's unity. Moshe Shapiro lost his son Aner, who was killed on October 7 while defending fellow attendees at the Nova music festival. Joining him are Hoda Daxa, whose husband Col. Ehsan Daxa was killed leading troops in northern Gaza in October 2024, and Shai Zohar, the uncle of Capt. Omer Neutra. Neutra, a lone soldier from New York, was taken to Gaza and his body was returned in November 2025. These leaders represent a cross-section of the country, including religious and secular Jews, Haredim, Druze, and members of both the Right and the Left.

Zohar identified internal polarization as the most significant existential threat facing the state. He argued that the fractures present before October 7 contributed to the catastrophe. "Unity is an operating system, an approach," he stated, warning that the nation cannot afford to regress. He noted that Israel has already paid an immense price for these divisions. Zohar also acknowledged a personal learning curve regarding the 2018 Nation-State Law. He admitted that he did not fully grasp its impact on the Druze community until he heard Daxa discuss it. "It went over my head," he said, highlighting the need for better inter-community understanding.

The Nation-State Law reserves national self-determination for the Jewish people and designates Hebrew as the state language, while granting Arabic special status. Critics, including Druze leaders, argue that the law lacks an explicit guarantee of equality and excludes a community whose soldiers serve in the military. The High Court upheld the law in 2021, ruling it compatible with existing equality protections. In November 2023, Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Muwaffaq Tarif called for constitutional recognition of the community's rights, a move the coalition promised to address with separate legislation.

Daxa emphasized that the sense of belonging is tested in daily life. She described a moment on a train where she spoke Arabic with her children. Although no one objected, she sensed discomfort among other passengers. "Hatred doesn't distinguish," she observed. She stressed that unity must extend beyond Jewish solidarity to include all groups who feel part of Israeli society. Despite voting for different parties, the group maintains that open dialogue allows them to learn from one another rather than assume their own side is entirely right. "We come with an open heart," she said.

Shapiro described the yearlong process of building a shared vision among diverse groups. He noted that no participant had to hide their views during these discussions. He drew a parallel to the period before the Six Day War, when his grandfather, Haim-Moshe Shapiro, urged Prime Minister Levi Eshkol to include opposition parties in the government. In June 1967, the government was expanded to include Gahal and Rafi, creating a broad unity cabinet. Shapiro believes this historical example shows that differing views can coexist within a single governing structure.

The coalition aims to foster personal connections through schools, workplaces, and local communities. Shapiro advocates for educational programs that teach children about different communities and how to manage disagreement. He also calls for measures to address online activity that inflames hatred. The group has left the specific structure of the proposed body to elected officials and professionals. Daxa believes that recognizing polarization as a national danger is a crucial first step. Shapiro concluded by noting that the initiative does not ask citizens to sacrifice their identities, only to listen and remember that disagreement does not negate mutual obligations.

The stakes for the next government are high. The coalition believes that without a structured approach to social cohesion, the risks of fragmentation will continue to grow. They view the current moment as an opportunity to correct course and build a more resilient society. By turning social cohesion into a national priority, the incoming administration can address the root causes of division. The leaders of Hamechane hope that their shared experience of loss and survival will inspire a broader commitment to unity among the Israeli public.