It's impossible to go back to what was
Three years after October 7, a farewell from Ritziano, the mother of Staff Sergeant Itai Eliyahu Ritziano, writes about personal and collective pain, the spirit of volunteering that prevailed in the early days, and the fear of a return to political division. She calls on the next leadership to remember that behind every argument are real people, and asks for a society that chooses unity and mutual responsibility over hatred and discord.
Three years after October 7, Ritziano, the mother of Staff Sergeant Itai Eliyahu Ritziano, publishes a poignant personal column. She describes how the disaster affected not only bereaved families but also the basic sense of security and trust of Israeli society as a whole. Alongside the pain, she recalls the spirit of volunteering and unity that prevailed in the days following the attack – people opening their homes and hearts regardless of political differences. Ritziano expresses fear of a return to a reality of polarization and internal strife, and calls on the next leadership to remember that behind every argument over budget, security, or education are real people. She asks to distinguish between disagreement and dismantling, and between criticism and hatred. The column ends with a call to choose mutual responsibility and joint construction, and not to turn bereavement into a political slogan.