Brothers before the ballot - opinion

Elliot Mathias, CEO of Kesher Yehudi, writes an opinion piece ahead of Israel's October 27, 2026 election, the first since October 7. He argues that political disagreement is legitimate but demonization is not, drawing on the biblical story of Abraham and Lot to call for unity and brotherhood among Israelis regardless of election results.

Elliot Mathias, CEO of Kesher Yehudi, writes an opinion piece ahead of Israel's October 27, 2026 election, the first since the October 7, 2023 attack. He argues that while political disagreement is legitimate and part of Jewish tradition, demonizing opponents is not. Drawing on the biblical story of Abraham and Lot, Mathias calls for unity and brotherhood among Israelis regardless of the election outcome. He notes that roughly half the country will be disappointed by the result, but urges readers to remember that those who voted differently are still brothers. The piece references the 2023 judicial reform protests and the October 7 attack as examples of unity overcoming division, and warns against another catastrophe to remember shared identity.