ByJPOST EDITORIAL

JULY 23, 2026 05:54

The clip begins in a blooming meadow. An artificially created version of Gadi Eisenkot dashes ahead with open arms. In front stands a youth in a white shirt marked with the words Israeli unity. For an instant it looks like a touching reunion of father and son, or a nation reaching for the togetherness spoken of since October 7.

Then Eisenkot pivots. He walks past the young man and hugs Raam leader Mansour Abbas. The Likud message is clear: Eisenkot talks of unity yet will supposedly drop it to build a government that needs an Arab party.

Many viewers saw something different. They recognized Gal Eisenkot, the former IDF chief of staff's son killed in Gaza in December 2023. The likeness, whether planned or accidental, changed a political jab into something harsh.

Likud said the figure was not meant to be Gal Eisenkot. A later version swapped him for a woman. That step did not settle the main issue.

What were the creators thinking?

Upcoming election first since October 7 Hamas massacre

Israel's campaign will end on October 27, the first national vote since the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023. It should have started with care and thought. Instead an early image seemed to turn a bereaved father's pain into campaign material.

The date adds weight. On Tisha B'Av Jews recall the fall of the Temples and the teaching that the Second Temple fell because of sinat hinam, needless hatred among Jews.

The phrase is heard so often it can sound routine. Its message stays urgent. A country can face strong foes yet still harm itself through scorn, insult, group anger, and the belief that rivals stand outside the shared community.

October 7 should have prompted a broad review. The attackers did not sort people by right or left, religious or secular, coalition or opposition. Troops and reservists from every corner of society served side by side. Civilians helped strangers. Families took in those forced from their homes. Israelis saw how much they rely on one another.

Where is that reflection now?

Every party in this race must ask what it missed before October 7. The government must explain the lapses that led to the attack and choices made during the fighting. The opposition must review its words and its part in widening distrust. Leaders must weigh whether years of framing every clash as a life-or-death fight hurt the ties that hold society together.

Such review cannot happen when grief is turned into campaign content.

Gadi Eisenkot is a candidate. His plans, partners, record, and choices merit close review. Likud can fairly question his coalition options and whether he would need Raam. It cannot fairly create images that call up his lost son to hurt him or stir voters.

Netanyahu and Likud should say they are sorry without conditions. Taking down the image was right but not enough. True leadership means owning the harm rather than claiming an AI tool made the choice.

The same rule must hold for all sides. Opposition figures should drop talk that paints Likud voters as backward or corrupt. Coalition voices should stop calling critics traitors or backers of terror. Arab citizens must not be used as signs of political poison. Religious and secular Israelis must not be pushed to scorn one another for votes.

Unity permits strong debate. It means accepting that rivals remain part of the same nation and deserve respect and a say in its path.

Tisha B'Av calls for memory that leads to change. If leaders repeat the words about sinat hinam yet return to campaigns of insult, the fast loses meaning.

The first election after October 7 should prove Israel took something from the disaster. It should bring real debate on security, duty, service, the economy, the courts, and the nation's direction. It should also set lines no campaign gain can cross.

Israel has laid too many sons and daughters to rest. Their memory should bring care, duty, and togetherness. It must never serve as fuel for another round of hate.