The lesson of Tisha B'Av is one Israel's politicians cannot ignore

An Israeli election campaign video by Likud, featuring an AI-generated Gadi Eisenkot embracing Mansour Abbas instead of a figure resembling his deceased son, Gal Eisenkot, sparked controversy. Many Israelis found the imagery cruel, especially given the upcoming election on October 27, the first since the October 7 Hamas massacre. The incident occurred around Tisha B'Av, a day of mourning for the destruction of the Temples due to "baseless hatred" (sinat hinam) among Jews. The article argues that this event underscores a failure to learn from the October 7 tragedy, which initially fostered national unity.

"What were you thinking?"

The author calls for an apology from Likud and a broader shift in political discourse, urging all parties to avoid divisive rhetoric and uphold national unity, even amidst sharp disagreements, to honor the memory of those lost.