They say we've returned to October 6. The truth is that it's already impossible | Anat Moshe

Anat Moshe writes that three years after October 7, the black day is always present in the lives of Israelis — in the photos of the fallen, in memorial events, in culture, and in public discourse. She emphasizes that despite the relative quiet on the battlefronts and the return of the hostages, the pain and trauma continue to accompany the country, especially the families of the fallen and murdered who see routine returning while their world will not.

Anat Moshe writes a personal column marking three years since the October 7 massacre. She argues that contrary to claims that we have returned to October 6 — the eve of the attack — the situation today is fundamentally different, because the memory of that black day is always present. This presence is reflected in the photos of the fallen on the streets, on bike paths and promenades named after victims, in cultural events, television programs, and political debates. She notes that the return of the hostages a year ago lifted a huge stone from the heart of the country, and the relative quiet on the battlefronts allows for breathing, but life seems normal only as much as possible in Israel. The central message: it is important to remember and remind of those who will not return to routine — the fallen, the murdered, the hostages who have not returned, and their families who see the country returning to routine while their lives will never get back on track. The column ends with a description of the pain as a heavy burden whose weight is still heavy after three years.