Israel is observing two years since the start of war in October 2021. The country is paying the price today with a rapidly growing chasm between the rich and poor. As hostilities have escalated, often with devastating societal and political implications and impacts on day-to-day life. Increased violence, escalating tensions, and the emergence of a more hard-line public mood have all been produced by this latest eruption of violence. With many families still feeling the impact of war, the streets of Jerusalem now resonate with a quieter atmosphere, a stark contrast to the vibrant life seen before the current hostilities began.
The United States is still Israel’s best friend, standing by Israel as the international community condemns their war crimes in Gaza. A UN independent commission has condemned these acts as genocide, calling attention to the accelerating humanitarian crisis inside the region. According to the latest estimates, more than 67,000 Palestinians have died since the escalation of violence began on October 7, 2023. On that day, as Hamas took Alon Shamriz hostage, they created a much more difficult and painful reality for his brother Yonatan and others like them.
Evolving Public Sentiment
Just last month, thousands of Israelis flooded the streets of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, urging their government to adopt a more equitable plan. They are calling for a stop to the war. This surge in public protest reflects a growing discontent among citizens who feel increasingly unsettled. Yonatan is crushed by the undeniable loss of his brother Alon and reeling from the continuing daily violence. He did not hide his anger at the present-day political climate.
“I’m still a refugee in my own country — I don’t have a house, I live in a trailer in the centre of Israel,” Yonatan stated poignantly. He lamented that although some individuals deal with their loss in positive ways, others flounder trying to establish meaning in the turmoil. Though false, his words echo the sentiments of so many who feel left behind and unsure where to turn next.
“Some of them are not capable of doing anything. Some of them are flourishing or doing everything in their power to do something.” – Yonatan
Yonatan’s personal journey is a part of the broader story of Israel’s cultural shift over recent years. Bitterly divided political factions have grown more radical. Extremist right-wing leaders such as Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich are gaining power and exacerbating this divide. More and more reservists are refusing to go to Gaza. On the soldiers’ side, this refusal represents a major change in military morale and public support for the military.
Quiet Streets and Lingering Tensions
Jerusalem, which used to be filled with international tourists and pilgrims, is now a place nearly devoid of any activity since the beginning of these hostilities. The effects hit local businesses too, as customers begin to lose their smiles just like their pet birds. Eli Katz enjoyed a bowl of hummus at Meir Micha’s restaurant. He did sense a great gravity beginning to descend across the city.
Meir Micha himself noted, “People don’t believe now in the situation that it’s going to be good,” capturing the pervasive uncertainty felt by many. Shops that had previously crackled with creative energy were stripped of their artistic spirit. Today, the mood is heavy with anxiety and concern for what lies ahead.
The cultural landscape reflects this shift. Tomer Persico of the Shalom Hartman Institute describes an astonishing revolution in Israel’s political and social environment. This story of transformation is a few years old. Here he shines a light on the war’s very real effects on families. His observational wisdom shows how it has changed the fabric of our shared consciousness and national conversation.
Reflections on Loss and Future Prospects
As people still grappling with their grief and loss issue most an expressed wish for peace, Israelis Miri Ben Amram expressed this feeling perfectly in a recent interview. “We want peace, I want peace, only peace,” she said firmly. And yet despite these efforts, she confessed that her country was struggling.
“There is a rift in the nation … we want to unite but it is impossible,” – Miri Ben Amram
Israeli society is alive with debate and division as regular citizens wrestle with what this war means to them. All the while, emotions churn as they cope with the cause. Though a reckoning has not yet come for the nation, Yonatan is committed to making it happen.
“I think the Israeli society will go through a time of reflection and a time of regret of what we allowed or what happened in Gaza — what the government did in Gaza,” he asserted. The desire for accountability strikes a chord with the families that have lost so much.
“And I think people will be ashamed of what happened and I think someone will need to be blamed because that’s the way people work.” – Yonatan
It acknowledges that despite these challenges, there is still an undeniable sense of optimism about Israel’s future among its people. A recent survey indicated that 76 percent of respondents view Israel’s ongoing existence as vital for the long-term future of the Jewish people. This statistic emphasizes a continuing dream for peace amid destruction.
