Those who were at the wheel on October 7 lost the right to shape our memory | Shari Makover-Belikov

Shari Makover-Belikov argues that those responsible for the October 7 failure have lost the right to shape the memory of the disaster. She criticizes the holding of two separate state ceremonies, military and civilian, and the struggle over the Nova memorial circle, as expressions of deep social division and governmental failure in commemorating the disaster.

In an opinion column, Shari Makover-Belikov argues that those who were at the wheel on October 7, especially Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have lost the legitimate right to shape the narrative of mourning for the victims of the disaster. She sharply criticizes the holding of two separate state ceremonies, military and civilian, for the fallen of October 7, taking place today, as an expression of deep social division and a fundamental failure in defining the state's role. The struggle over the controversial memorial circle at the Nova site, which she says tried to impose a rigid religious structure on a free space, exemplifies the split. The author notes that against the backdrop of reports of intelligence warnings that Netanyahu ignored, and in the shadow of the upcoming elections, many have chosen to boycott the state ceremonies. She calls on the organizers to act with true statesmanship, to relinquish leadership, and to listen to the heart of the majority.