Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil at Yom Kippur event: 'May god hold Israel accountable'

Yesterday, stores shut down and cars vanished from Israel's streets. People who rarely set foot in a synagogue found themselves sharing pews with those who attended regularly. On this day, even the nation managed to quiet down. The attachment to Yom Kippur runs deep, with 74% of Jewish Israeli adults fasting or attending services, despite disagreements with the rabbinate or lack of interest in organized religion. However, after the fast ends and phones are retrieved, we remember whose apologies are truly needed.

We have a routine. A provocative statement from the opposing political side triggers a demand for accountability. A leader who shares our views does the same, and context becomes crucial. There's always an explanation, always an older offense by the other side. After everything Israel has endured since October 7, we should strive for improvement.

The country has much to be proud of. Reservists repeatedly returned to duty, leaving behind families and employers. Volunteers tirelessly aided families devastated by the conflict, often unnoticed beyond the cameras. These individuals are entitled to question the decision-makers who placed them in harm's way. Who believed the assessment that Hamas was deterred? What happened to the warnings? Why were families left waiting for assistance on October 7?

The answers matter to parents considering raising children near the border and to soldiers trusting their commanders. They deserve to hear what has changed. Political and military leaders must be prepared to explain their decisions, including what went wrong under their authority and what they plan to do about it. We should have the chance to hear their explanations.

However, caution is needed to avoid broadening "we all failed" to the point where no one bears responsibility. The duty of a prime minister or senior commander differs from that of a voter who believed them. Bereaved families need answers from those entrusted with their protection. Everyone else must examine their own habits. Have we passed along a claim without verifying its truth? Have we excused cruelty because of shared politics?

A practical starting point is our family WhatsApp groups. If we shared a false story there, we can correct it. If we unfairly accused someone, we can inform those who heard the accusation that we were mistaken. Our newspaper should be part of this discussion. We decide which claims to investigate, whose assurances to challenge, and how prominently to acknowledge our mistakes. When we err, readers deserve a clear correction. We should expect the same persistence in questioning us that we bring to scrutinizing others.

Before Yom Kippur, around 150,000 individuals attended the final slihot prayers at the Western Wall and its surroundings, including former hostages, a Nova massacre survivor, and political and religious leaders. They shared a penitential confession, saying "We have sinned," despite their diverse lives. This plural and personal acknowledgment allows each person to consider their own actions.

This practice becomes increasingly challenging as the election campaign resumes. A candidate admitting an error may face ridicule in an opponent's advertisement. Voters must listen to explanations before dismissing a changed stance as disqualifying.

As Israel continues to grapple with serious questions, honesty in our discourse is essential. We should argue more openly by acknowledging the possibility that we may have erred, trusted the wrong person, or defended a decision for too long. On Yom Kippur, let us also strive to say "We were wrong" as a collective, recognizing that we are accountable for our actions and words.