Kommentar: Das Versagen und die Folgen: Ein gespaltenes Land trauert

On October 7, 2023, for the first time in years, Israel observed the anniversary of Yom HaZikaron al HaShoah Be'egolah without holding any Israeli hostages captive. Despite this, the mourning sentiment pervades the nation, having not yet processed the terrorist attack perpetrated by Hamas three years prior. On October 7, 2023, Hamas claimed the lives of 1,195 people.

Some of these atrocities were broadcast online, where ten million Israelis witnessed relatives, friends, or acquaintances being killed or abducted. For most Israelis, this day is a deeply personal day of mourning. Whether any society can cope with such an event remains uncertain. Nonetheless, there is a second reason the date remains etched in memory: not only due to the brutality of Hamas, but also as a reminder of the failure of a security apparatus, widely regarded as one of the best in the world, to protect the country from such attacks.

To this day, Israelis continue to search for someone to hold accountable for the responsibility. Regardless of who they blame, their choice often determines their vote in the parliamentary election on October 27. Benjamin Netanyahu and his supporters hold the military establishment responsible, citing its negligent risk assessment and slow response on the day of the attack.